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WIA Benefit for Long-Term Work Disability in Zoetermeer

The WIA benefit provides financial support to employees in Zoetermeer who are still disabled after two years of illness. Read more about the conditions, schemes, and application procedure.

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WIA Benefit for Long-Term Work Disability in Zoetermeer

The Work and Income According to Labour Capacity Act (WIA) provides financial support for employees in Zoetermeer and elsewhere who, after two years of illness, are still unable to work fully. This act, which replaced the old Disability Insurance Act (WAO), includes two main schemes: the WGA and the IVA.

When Can You Apply for a WIA Benefit?

You may be eligible for a WIA benefit if:

  • You have been ill for at least 104 weeks (2 years)
  • You are still at least 35% disabled
  • You were employed at the time you became ill
  • You have complied with your reintegration obligations

The Two Main WIA Schemes

1. WGA (Return to Work Partially Disabled Persons)

The WGA scheme applies to people who:

  • Are 35% to 80% disabled, OR
  • Are 80-100% disabled, but with a chance of improvement

2. IVA (Income Provision for Fully Disabled Persons)

The IVA scheme is intended for people who:

  • Are 80-100% disabled
  • Have little to no chance of recovery

Assessment by the UWV

The UWV in the Zoetermeer region assesses your situation through an examination by:

Insurance Physician

This physician examines your medical limitations and prepares a Functional Capacity List (FML).

Labour Expert

This expert looks at what work you can still perform and calculates your possible earnings.

How Is Your Degree of Disability Calculated?

The percentage of disability is determined by:

  1. Establishing your reference income (your income before illness)
  2. Calculating your remaining earning capacity (what you can still earn now)
  3. The difference between these two determines your percentage of disability

Example of Calculation

Reference income: €3,000 per month
Remaining earning capacity: €1,500 per month
Income loss: €1,500 = 50%
Degree of disability: 50%

Amount of the WGA Benefit

The WGA benefit has three different phases:

1. Wage-Related Benefit (LGU)

PeriodPercentage
First 2 months75% of your daily wage
Thereafter70% of your daily wage

The duration of this phase depends on your employment history, with a maximum of 24 months.

2. Wage-Topping Benefit

If after the LGU you earn at least 50% of your remaining earning capacity:
70% x (reference income - current income)

3. Follow-Up Benefit

If you earn less than 50% of your remaining earning capacity:
Degree of disability x minimum wage

Amount of the IVA Benefit

The IVA benefit is 75% of your daily wage and is paid until your state pension age, with a maximum daily wage as the limit.

Overview of WIA Categories

CategoryDegree of DisabilityScheme
Less than 35%0-35%No WIA
Category 35-45%35-45%WGA
Category 45-55%45-55%WGA
Category 55-65%55-65%WGA
Category 65-80%65-80%WGA
Category 80-100%80-100%WGA or IVA

Application Procedure in Zoetermeer

  1. Week 87: You receive a letter from the UWV about the WIA application
  2. Week 88-93: You submit your application via Mijn UWV
  3. Week 93-104: The UWV conducts an assessment
  4. Week 104: You receive the decision and possibly the start of your benefit

Documents You Need

  • Reintegration report (RIV)
  • Analysis by the occupational physician
  • Reintegration action plan
  • Final evaluation
  • Medical records

Obligations with a WGA Benefit

If you receive a WGA benefit, you must:

  • Actively seek suitable work
  • Accept suitable work
  • Cooperate in reintegration programmes
  • Report changes in your situation to the UWV

Reassessment by the UWV

The UWV may periodically carry out a reassessment to determine if your situation has changed. If there is improvement, your benefit may be adjusted or terminated.

Objection and Appeal in Zoetermeer

Do you disagree with the UWV's decision?

  • Objection: Submit within 6 weeks to the UWV
  • Appeal: Within 6 weeks to the District Court of The Hague
  • Further appeal: To the Central Appeals Tribunal

What if You Are Less than 35% Disabled?

If your degree of disability is less than 35%, you will not receive a WIA benefit. Possible alternatives are:

  • Return to your employer with adjusted duties
  • A unemployment benefit (WW) if your contract is terminated
  • Social assistance as a last resort

Contact and Assistance in Zoetermeer

For legal support, you can go to the Legal Desk Zoetermeer. For cases that escalate, you fall under the District Court of The Hague.