Ninove Launches Home ID Card Service for Individuals with Reduced Mobility

Ninove (Eurotoday) – Ninove has launched a new initiative called “Loket aan huis” (“Desk at Home”) to support residents with limited mobility by providing at-home ID card services. The program’s first user, Yolande Doomst, praised the service for its convenience. City council member Guy D’haeseleer expressed his support for expanding the initiative.

Previously, if someone was unable to get to city hall to apply for a new identity card, a representative could do it on their behalf, but only with a doctor’s certificate. Now, the “Loket aan huis” service sends city staff directly to residents’ homes to complete the process.

How is Ninove helping residents with limited mobility?

The service is specifically designed to assist elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, or those dealing with serious illness. City workers visit the person’s home to take their photo and complete the application process for a new ID card—at no cost.

“Everyone needs a new ID card eventually,” said Guy D’haeseleer. “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.”

With the new system, residents no longer need to make repeated trips. In addition, the city is working to introduce an online payment platform to make the service fully remote.

Yolande Doomst, the first person to benefit from “Loket aan huis,” said the service was a huge help. Due to knee issues and undergoing cancer treatment, traveling to city hall was not an option for her. “It was a very good idea, and they responded immediately,” she said.

Municipal officials emphasized that the initiative aims to promote equal access to administrative services for all residents, especially those who are less mobile. Currently, the service is limited to ID card applications, but there may be plans to expand it in the future.

“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.

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