Sickness benefit

Sickness benefit is money you receive from UWV if you are sick and have no employer to pay your wages. 

Benefit under the Sickness Benefits Act (Ziektewet) 

You can get sickness benefit if you are sick and do not have an employer. For example, you might be unemployed, or you might be an on-call worker or a flex worker, or your contract might have ended while you are sick. Under the Sickness Benefits Act, there is a safety net that ensures you still receive money while you are sick. 

Who can claim sickness benefit? 

You may be entitled to sickness benefit if you are sick and do not have an employer that continues to pay your wages. You may also be able to claim this benefit if you became sick while you were a temporary agency worker or an on-call worker, or just after your contract ends. In some cases your employer will report you sick to UWV. In other cases, you have to do this yourself. 

Amount of sickness benefit and duration of payment 

Sickness benefit is usually 70% of the wages you previously earned. UWV looks at your most recent salary when calculating your sickness benefit. You can receive sickness benefit for up to two years. It can be stopped earlier, for example if you retire. 

Claiming sickness benefit 

You apply for sickness benefit through UWV. Use your DigiD to log into Mijn UWV. Sometimes you have to call UWV or fill in a form first. Make sure you have information about your previous work and your current illness. UWV checks that you are entitled to the benefit and tells you how much you will get.