Government health inspectors are to carry out spot checks for fraud on some 30,000 households where people are claiming extra cash to help them live independent lives.

The checks – which will involve 20% of all claimants – follow reports that millions of euros are being paid out in fraudulent claims under the personal care budget system. Currently, just 5% of claims are checked out.

Personal care budgets (pgb) are used to help the elderly and disabled remain living in their own homes.

Fake firms

RTL news said in December that government officials, fraud experts and the police have carried out an investigation into the pgb system. Their report uncovers a number of fake care companies that are submitting claims on behalf of people who know nothing about them.

The investigators also identified healthcare workers, including doctors and psychiatrists, making fake diagnoses to allow people to claim the cash.

Health minister Martin van Rijn is also planning to replace cash payments with bill-based claims.