Ninove (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ninove’s “Loket aan huis” helps people who can’t visit city hall get a new ID card at home. The first user, Yolande Doomst, benefited. Guy D’haeseleer supports expanding services.
The city of Ninove has a new service called “Loket aan huis” to help people who can’t go to city hall. Before, if someone couldn’t get a new ID card in person, someone else could do it for them, but only with a doctor’s note.
How is Ninove helping people with reduced mobility get ID cards?
City workers go to people’s homes to help them get new ID cards. Officials mentioned that this is good for older people, people with disabilities, and people who are sick. It makes it easier for them to get a new ID card. Guy D’haeseleer said that everyone needs a new ID card at some point. This new service makes it easier for people who can’t easily get around.
“But that requires 3 to 4 trips to and from the city hall. First you have to bring the doctor’s note, then have the papers filled in and returned and later pick up the identity card again,”
Says D’haeseleer.
Officials mentioned that city workers will go to the person’s home, for free, to take their picture and finish the application. People don’t have to go to city hall many times. The city is also working on a way to pay for the ID card online, so people won’t have to go to City Hall at all.
The first person to use Ninove’s new “Loket aan huis” service was Yolande Doomst. She said it was a great help because she has knee problems and cancer and can’t go to City Hall. She said it was a good idea, and they used it right away.
Officials mentioned that Ninove is helping its older residents and people who can’t move around easily by going to their homes and working on a way to do everything online. This makes sure everyone can get the same services. At this time the service is only available for applying for identity cards.
“We will first evaluate how it is going and see if we can meet all expectations. Then, we can add more applications,”
Said the mayor.
