How do I apply for WIA benefits?
Has the employee been sick for almost 2 years and can work less due to illness and, as a result, the employee earns less than before? Then it is possible to apply for WIA benefits at the UWV.
The WIA consists of two schemes, WGA and IVA. Which the employee is entitled to depends on whether he/she can work in the future.
- WGA stands for: Work Resumption Partially Disabled. Employees are entitled to this benefit if they have been sick for two years or more and can work in the future.
- IVA stands for: Inkomensvoorziening Volledig Arbeidsongeschiktten. The employee receives this benefit if he/she is unable to work, or can hardly work anymore.
Required documentation for WIA benefits
For the WIA application, the employee needs the reintegration report. As an employer, it is therefore important to provide the employee with copies of these documents, no later than the 91st week of illness. It is important that the file is complete. Namely, is something missing or not sufficiently elaborated? Then the employer must continue to pay wages after two years.
Components of the reintegration report
The following documents belong to the reintegration report:
- Problem analysis and possible adjustments (updating problem analysis);
- Plan of action;
- (First-Year) Evaluation;
- Current opinion of company physician or occupational health and safety service;
- Final evaluation.
Use the UWV forms for the reintegration report. Also, the employee himself sends the "Medical Information" form by mail to the UWV, he/she receives this information from the company doctor/arm's office.
When is the WIA application made?
The employee applies for WIA benefits in the 93rd week of illness. In the 88th week, both the employer and the employee receive a letter about the application.
Make early WIA application?
Is it clear early on that the employee can no longer work? Then it is also possible to make an early WIA application.
