UWV and social assistance: unemployment and support

You are entitled to WW if you lost your job through no fault of your own, did not lose fewer than five hours a week of work, worked at least 26 weeks in the 36 weeks before becoming unemployed, and were able to work and registered as a job seeker.

• The duration of entitlement is calculated by your previous years of work, and can reach two years.
• A percentage of your previous salary is paid (about 75 per cent in the first two months and then about 70 per cent) with a maximum.
• Tax is applied to it and you can get information about its amount through UWV's calculator.
• If you resigned without a justified reason or were dismissed through your own fault you may be denied it.

Register as a job seeker on Werk.nl as soon as you learn your job is ending, then submit the WW application through the UWV site with DigiD, which must be done within a week of your last working day or dismissal notice.

• Delay reduces the amount.
• You need the employment contract, dismissal letter, payslips and your bank details.
• The benefit is paid monthly after the UWV decision, and every four weeks you must submit an income form (wijzigingsformulier) declaring your work, income and job-search attempts.
• Report every part-time job or income, since part of the benefit may be deducted and do not ignore that, because concealing may lead to repayment and fines.

You are asked to search actively for work and make several applications a month, often four applications every four weeks, and record them in your Werk.nl file with evidence such as messages and replies.

• You are asked to take part in workshops and courses recommended by UWV, attend interviews and accept suitable work.
• After six months you may be asked to accept work below your qualifications.
• If you refuse suitable work or neglect the obligations the benefit may be reduced or stopped.
• There are exceptions for health reasons or childcare.
• Contact your adviser at any difficulty and do not stay silent, since early communication protects you.

If you are not entitled to WW or it has ended and you have no sufficient income or savings you can apply for social assistance from your municipality, which guarantees you a minimum income depending on your family and housing.

• You must be a legal resident, and your income, savings, property and who lives with you are assessed (kostendelersnorm).
• You are obliged to search for work and take part in employment and training programmes, and a counter-service (tegenprestatie) such as voluntary work for the community may be required in some municipalities.
• The application is submitted via your municipality's site or the social affairs office.
• Extraordinary support (bijzondere bijstand) may be available for special costs such as furniture or essential supplies.
• Some residence statuses do not allow dependence on assistance, so review your status.

You may be entitled to additional allowances through the tax authority such as rent allowance (huurtoeslag), health care allowance (zorgtoeslag) and childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag), and municipal fee exemptions.

• Fraud in obtaining benefits, such as concealing work, income or housing, is an offence that may lead to repayment of amounts, fines, exclusion from benefits and even criminal prosecution, and may affect your residence.
• Report every change honestly.
• If you disagree with a decision of UWV or your municipality lodge an objection (bezwaar) in writing within six weeks of the decision date, and you have the right to see your file.
• Use the union, the Juridisch Loket or Sociaal Raadslieden for free help.

How many weeks out of 36 must you have worked to qualify for WW?