News item | 17-11-2023 | 2:15 PM
The backlog of social medical assessments for WIA benefits appears to be stagnating and even decreasing for the first time in years. Nevertheless, there are still significant backlogs. That is why Minister Van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment is working on the temporary measure ‘Practical assessment’ as part of a broader approach. This means that an assessment of the degree of their disability is made only on the basis of what people actually earn. It is expected that this will allow 2,000 to 3,000 more WIA claim assessments to be carried out annually.
If employees become incapacitated for work for a long period of time, they can claim WIA benefits. The degree of disability determines whether someone is entitled to benefits and, if so, how high it should be. According to the current rules, both a practical and a theoretical assessment (an estimate of what the employee can still earn in theory) is carried out for employees who still have income from work. The assessment with the lowest degree of disability then determines whether or not to grant a WIA benefit. With the Practical assessment measure, the theoretical estimate is omitted when a practical assessment is possible. It is expected that this will allow approximately 2,000 to 3,000 additional WIA claim assessments to be carried out annually. The measure must take effect on July 1, 2024 and will run for three years.
The new working method applies to a WIA claim assessment, a WIA reassessment, the assessment of revival of a terminated WIA right and the assessment of the subsequent creation of a WIA right. Other disability assessments, such as the First-Year Sickness Benefits Act assessment, the WAO, WAZ and Wajong are not included in the measure. UWV will monitor the effect of the Practical Assessment measure.
Open for consultation as soon as possible
In order to implement the temporary Practical Assessment measure, an amendment to the ‘Estimation Decree on Disability Laws’ is required. The amendment decision will be posted online as soon as possible for a public (internet) consultation.