News item | 02-02-2022 | 13:45
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is temporarily suspending the extension of the subsidy scheme for Corona jobs in healthcare (COZO). This means that healthcare providers cannot apply for a COZO subsidy for the period from January to June 2022. Minister for Long-term Care and Sport Conny Helder takes this decision after a signal of possible abuse of the scheme. The minister first wants clarity about the nature and scope of the signals of possible abuse before extending the COZO.
The COZO is a scheme that was used as a crisis measure during the corona pandemic to relieve healthcare workers in support functions. The COZO would be extended again in 2022, so that the scheme would run until June 30, 2022. The basic principle is that care providers can claim the COZO subsidy scheme at a later date for the period January up to and including 2022. Depending on the nature and size of the signals, it may be that the ministry adjusts the policy on abuse and improper use in relation to this subsidy scheme before the extension of the scheme takes effect.
Corona jobs in care
Corona jobs in care are temporary jobs in care in support functions. Due to these corona jobs, healthcare employees are relieved of the extraordinarily high care demand of corona. The COZO subsidy scheme finances the full wage costs and, in addition, a surcharge for the supervision of these jobs. In 2021, almost 84 million euros in subsidy was granted from the scheme.