KNM: Unemployment & Benefits
If you lose your job, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering) through the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen). The impo...
If you lose your job, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering) through the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen). The important official rule is the 'wekeneis': in the last 36 weeks before you became unemployed, you must usually have worked in at least 26 weeks. That is about 6 months of work. You must also be available for paid work and keep applying for jobs.
| English | Dutch | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Insurance Agency | UWV | Handles unemployment benefits |
| Unemployment benefit | WW-uitkering | Income when you lose your job |
| To apply for jobs | Solliciteren | Required to keep receiving WW |
| Social assistance | Bijstand | When WW ends or no WW rights |
| Work.nl | Werk.nl | Government job-seeking website |
| Reintegration | Re-integratie | Help returning to work |
| WW Rule | Dutch | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Worked enough weeks | Wekeneis | At least 26 worked weeks in the last 36 weeks before unemployment |
| Lost enough hours | Urenverlies | Usually you lose at least 5 work hours per week and the wage for those hours |
| Available for work | Beschikbaar voor werk | You can start paid work immediately |
| Apply for jobs | Sollicitatieplicht | You must keep applying and show UWV what you do |
| First duration | Duur WW | If you meet the week rule, WW starts with 3 months |
| Longer duration | Jareneis | More WW months are possible if you worked enough years before unemployment |
Examples
- Ik ben mijn baan kwijtgeraakt.
- I lost my job.
- Ik moet me inschrijven bij het UWV.
- I have to register with the UWV.
- Hoelang krijg je een WW-uitkering?
- How long do you receive unemployment benefits?
- Je moet blijven solliciteren.
- You must continue applying for jobs.
Study note
For KNM questions, remember this simple version: WW is not automatic. You need enough work history, you must lose work hours, you must be available for work, and you must keep applying. If you do not have WW rights or your WW ends, the municipality may handle bijstand (social assistance).
Practice after reading
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