News item | 11-06-2025 | 14:10
The backlogs at the Social-Medical assessments for a disability benefit (WIA) will rise considerably in the coming years. That is why the government is taking measures to limit the backlogs.
For example, investments are being made in social-medical centers and people over 60 are temporarily assessed faster. Measures are also taken that structurally reduces pressure on implementation. Extra budget was made for this in the Spring Memorandum. The measures ensure that the waiting lists are less likely to rise in the coming years than had been the case. According to the current prognosis, the waiting list is now growing to 100,000 in 2027 and 200,000 in 2030. In addition to the WIA, the backlogs are also considerably rising during reassessment, the Sickness Benefits and Experts.
Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment: “If you become incapacitated for work, you want to quickly know where you stand. The substantial rising backlogs are therefore very worrying. I am very worried about the current state of our system. The measures we are taking now – both for the short and the medium term – put the pressure on the dike and relieve the pressure on the execution. But to make the backlogs really required. A Fundamental is more necessary. Structural adjustments, so that a new cabinet can get started immediately with this. ”
Causes
More and more employees are getting sick and appeal to a disability benefit. This is partly because there are more and more people working and people continue to work until a later age. There is also an effect as a result of the Coronapandemie. In addition, there is a striking increase in the number of mental disorders. To get more insight into this, extra research is being done.
At the same time, the number of reviews that UWV can be expected to do will decrease in the coming years. This is due to the pressure that the different recovery operations put on the UWV, due to poor digital support and the shortage on the labor market. In 2024, the UWV managed to recruit 130 new doctors, while 100 doctors also leave per year due to retirement or other natural course.
From this year on, UWV will also stop hiring doctors via self-employed constructions to comply with the law. The UWV now has 72 FTEs to doctors who work through a self-employed construction, who are responsible for around 20% of the assessments. These doctors have received an offer to be employed by the UWV.
Measures short term
In the short term, € 36 million per year is invested in social-medical centers. People who are 60 years or older from 1 September will also receive clarity faster, because UWV needs less time for their assessment. In addition, the current cancellation policy is made structurally. This gives people the certainty that they do not have to repay the advance they receive in anticipation of their assessment.
Measures medium term
In the medium term, 2 measures are taken to relieve the pressure. In this way, people get clarity faster because in people who work their disability percentage is determined on the basis of the income that is earned with that work. This practical way of assessing goes faster and makes it more transparent for all involved.
Secondly, the medical advice from the company doctor is leading when determining what someone can still do to get back to work. As a result, employers get more certainty in the obligations regarding continued payment of wages in the event of illness. This was also one of the measures advised by the Independent Committee on the Future Disability System (Octas). Minister Van Hijum wants to submit a bill for this