Public consultation on draft bill concerning reintegration assessment and WIA advance payments was launched on 20 October 2025

After a lenghty preparation period, the draft bill to amend the Reintegration Effort Assessment and WIA Advance Payment Scheme has been opened for public consultation. The proposal aims to provide employers with greater certainty in supporting sick employees and to simplify the implementation of the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA). Minister Paul of Social Affairs and Employment launched the consultation on 20 October 2025. 

Company doctor’s advice to become decisive 

Under the proposal, the opinion of the company doctor would become decisive in the UWV’s assessment of whether the employer and employee have made sufficient reintegration efforts. Until now, the company doctor’s opinion could be overruled by the UWV’s benefits assessment doctor, creating legal uncertainty for employers as to whether they had fulfilled their reintegration obligations. Under the draft bill, the UWV would no longer be able to impose a wage sanction solely on the basis of a difference in medical opinion between the company doctor and the benefits assessment doctor, provided that the employer has acted in accordance with the company doctor’s advice. This change is intended to improve predictability and reduce lengthy discussions about reintegration strategies. 

Adjustments to advance payments and Wajong 

The proposal also gives the UWV a statutory basis to, under certain conditions, refrain from recovering  WIA advance payments. These advances will from now on be financed from the Disability Insurance Fund. In addition, the bill introduces several technical amendments to the Wajong scheme, mainly relating to sheltered employment and wage dispensation. 

Submit feedback until 17 November 

The public consultation will remain open until 17 November 2025. As of 29 October (the date of this publication), 34 responses have been made public. Following the consultation, the bill will be submitted to the Council of State for its opinion, and subsequently to Parliament (the House of Representatives and the Senate). Feedback can be submitted via Overheid.nl | Consultation on the draft bill amending the Reintegration Effort Assessment and WIA Advance Payment Scheme.