The east Jutland municipality of Norddjurs is going t have to dig deep into its coffers to pay nearly 3 million kroner’s worth of kontanthjælp unemployment benefits to 112 couples that were shortchanged due to a processing error.

The error came about due to a misinterpretation of the rules change surrounding unemployment benefits to cohabitation couples. 

The appeals board reviewed a case in which only the citizen that was receiving help – and not the partner – was informed that benefit amounts and requirements were due to change.

Could be just the start
The board ruled that this was a mistake on the municipality’s part and reviewed 111 other cases and found that the decision to stop benefits was in error and that the council now must pay the funds retroactively.

Spokesperson Jesper Kaas Schmidt told Avisen.dk that the municipality expects all money to be paid by the middle of this month.

Norddjurs is not the only municipality that has made the mistake. Kalundborg and Copenhagen also have cases pending.