Unemployment Insurance (WW)

If you become fully or partly unemployed, you can apply for an Unemployment Benefit. The benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) compensates for the loss of earnings. This benefit is paid out for a certain period of time. The amount and the duration of the benefit you receive depend on the period of time you spent working. One of the conditions for this benefit is the explicit understanding that  you must be available for work.

Occupational Disability Insurance Schemes (WIA) 

According to the Labor capacity act (WIA), the focus is on work, on what people are still capable of doing. Employers and employees are encouraged by financial incentives to do everything they can to help those who are partially occupationally disabled to get work or continue to work. At the same time, income protection is provided for people who are truly no longer capable of working. The WIA comprises two parts: the Return to Work Scheme for the Partially Disabled (WGA) and the Income Provision Scheme for People Fully Occupationally Disabled (IVA).

Social assistance (WWB)

The Work and Social Assistance Act (WWB) grants a minimum income to legal residents in The Netherlands who have insufficient means to support themselves. Social assistance is provided to a household. If one person in a household has adequate income, the household is not eligible for assistance. This means that someone without income living with a partner or parents with adequate income, is not eligible for social assistance. Neither is someone with sufficient assets. Social assistance is therefore a safety net facility.

More detailed information on social insurance or social assistance, or on how to apply for an allowance or benefit is available at www.werkpleinmercado.nl.

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