Dutch Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA)

The WIA is a new version of the Dutch Invalidity Insurance Act (WAO). Starting point of the WIA is to have people participate in the employment process wherever possible. Considering what employees can still do so that they can reintegrate quickly and responsibly and are employable once more for the longer term.

IVA and WGA

The WIA comprises two schemes: the IVA (Fully Disabled Workers Income Scheme) and the WGA (Return to Work Scheme for the Partially Disabled). The IVA is a benefit for employees who have little or no income due to their illness. The WGA supplements the income of employees who are partially fit for work. As own-risk bearer, the employer may decide not to pay contributions for the WGA part. In that case, the own-risk bearer is responsible for the costs of the first ten WIA years.

WIA benefit

Employees receive a WIA benefit when they suffer a partial loss of earning capacity. This means that they receive compensation for the percentage they are unable to work. Employees are entitled to the WIA benefit if they are more than 35% unfit for work due to a permanent deficiency or illness. The benefit amount depends on the disability percentage. The WIA benefit may be denied if UWV determines that reintegration efforts are found lacking. The employer must then continue to pay wages for a longer period of time.

WGA benefit

Which WGA benefit an employee will receive depends on their situation. Reintegration conditions during the period in which WGA benefit is received. There are three types of WGA benefit:

• Wage-related benefit
• Supplementary benefit
• Continued benefit