Calculation of Amount and Duration of WW Benefit in Zoetermeer
Determining the amount and duration of your WW benefit depends on your work history and your most recent salary. Understanding these calculations helps you better manage your finances during a period of unemployment in Zoetermeer.
Amount of your WW Benefit
Your WW benefit is determined based on your daily wage. This is an average of your gross salary per day over a certain period.
How is the Daily Wage Calculated?
The UWV uses the following method to calculate your daily wage:
- All income from the year before your unemployment (reference year) is added up.
- This total is divided by the number of days you received salary.
- The result is multiplied by 261 (number of working days per year) and then divided by 12.
Maximum Daily Wage Limit
There is a maximum daily wage set at €274.44 gross per day (as of 2024). This means the highest WW benefit can be approximately €4,795 gross per month.
Benefit Percentage
| Period | Percentage of daily wage |
|---|---|
| First 2 months | 75% |
| From the 3rd month | 70% |
Example Calculation
Suppose your daily wage is €150:
- First 2 months: €150 x 75% = €112.50 per day
- From month 3: €150 x 70% = €105 per day
- Monthly amount first 2 months: approximately €2,438 gross
- Monthly amount from month 3: approximately €2,275 gross
Duration of the WW Benefit
The length of your WW benefit is determined by your employment history. There are two important criteria:
Minimum Benefit (Weekly Requirement)
If you meet the weekly requirement (at least 26 weeks worked in the past 36 weeks), you are entitled to at least 3 months WW benefit.
Extension of the Benefit (Yearly Requirement)
If you also meet the yearly requirement (at least 4 out of the 5 years before your unemployment worked), the duration of your benefit is extended.
Overview of Benefit Duration
| Employment History | WW Benefit Duration |
|---|---|
| Weekly requirement only | 3 months |
| 4 years employment history | 4 months |
| 5 years employment history | 5 months |
| 10 years employment history | 10 months |
| 15 years employment history | 15 months |
| 20 years employment history | 20 months |
| 26+ years employment history | 24 months (maximum) |
The longest period you can receive WW is 24 months.
Actual and Fictitious Employment History
Your employment history is divided into two categories:
Actual Employment History
This concerns the years in which you actually worked as an employee, calculated from 1998.
Fictitious Employment History
These are the years from your 18th birthday up to 1998, which automatically count as employment history.
Example Employment History
If you were born in 1975 and become unemployed in 2024:
- Fictitious employment history: 1993-1998 = 5 years
- Actual employment history: 1998-2024 = 26 years (if continuously worked)
- Total employment history: 31 years
- Maximum WW duration: 24 months
Effect of Part-Time Work
For part-time work, each year in which you worked at least 208 hours counts as a full year for your employment history, regardless of whether it was full-time or part-time.
WW Calculation Tool
The UWV offers a convenient online WW calculator on uwv.nl, with which you can estimate the amount and duration of your benefit.
What Qualifies as Employment History?
- Employment in salaried service in the Netherlands
- Civil service employment
- Military service time
- Periods with WW, Sickness Benefit or WIA benefit
- Work in EU/EEA countries (under conditions)
What Does Not Count as Employment History?
- Work as a self-employed person (zzp’er)
- Work outside the EU/EEA
- Volunteer activities
- Internships without an official contract
Effect on Net Pay
The following amounts are deducted from your gross WW benefit:
- Wage tax and premiums
- Any pension contributions (if applicable)
- Possible garnishments
As a result, you receive less net than the gross amount.
Holiday Allowance with WW
You accrue holiday allowance on your WW benefit, equal to 8% of the gross amount. This is paid annually in May.
Frequently Asked Questions about WW in Zoetermeer
Is extension of my WW benefit possible?
No, the duration of your WW benefit is fixed based on your employment history at the start. After it ends, you may be able to apply for a social assistance benefit via the municipality of Zoetermeer.
What happens if I find temporary work and become unemployed again?
If you build up new WW entitlement, you can submit a new application. Sometimes previous entitlements can be reactivated.
Help with WW Questions in Zoetermeer
For legal support or questions about your WW benefit, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer. For disputes, you can go to the District Court of The Hague, which is responsible for the district covering Zoetermeer.