News item | 15-11-2022 | 08:52
As of today, healthcare providers can apply for a subsidy for corona jobs that they have realized for the period from January 2022 to June 2022. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has set up the application desk for this subsidy scheme Corona Jobs in Healthcare 2022 (COZO 2022) open today. Subsidy applications can be submitted up to and including Tuesday 6 December at 5 p.m. At the beginning of February, the extension of this scheme for 2022 was temporarily suspended after signals of possible improper use of the scheme for 2021. To limit the risk of improper use or abuse of the extension, additional measures have been taken with the new COZO scheme for 2022.
Corona jobs in healthcare
Corona jobs in healthcare are temporary support jobs in healthcare. The corona jobs are intended to relieve healthcare workers in the event of the extraordinarily high demand for care from corona. The COZO subsidy scheme finances wage costs up to a maximum of 120% of the statutory minimum wage. With the subsidy scheme for 2022, healthcare organizations can claim a subsidy for corona jobs for the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022. The scheme has a subsidy ceiling of € 45 million. More information about the subsidy, the conditions and the application can be found on the website of the Subsidies Implementation Service for Institutions (SO I).
Extra measures against possible misuse
In February of this year, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport received signals that the COZO scheme for 2021 may have been abused. After which Minister for Long-term Care and Sport Conny Helder decided to temporarily suspend the scheme. With additional measures, the risk of misuse of the COZO scheme for 2022 is limited as much as possible. For example, there are additional requirements to guarantee the authenticity of the applicant. Payment will only be made after verification and determination of the subsidy. We no longer work with advance payments. DUS-I is entitled to request further documents and to conduct additional research from the applicant.
The investigation by the Dutch Labor Inspectorate (NLA) and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) into the signals about abuse of COZO 2021 has not yet been completed. At the beginning of 2023, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport will inform the House of Representatives about the progress of this investigation.