The WIA may be revised; what are the plans?

The WIA may be revised; what are the plans?

The disability system in the Netherlands is under pressure. Due to a combination of complex regulations and a shortage of insurance doctors, waiting times for examinations, to qualify for WIA benefits after 2 years of illness, ran up to many months. The Dutch Minister Van Hijum (SZW) is keen to change this.

Simplicity: firm measures on short notice

Simplification is necessary to make the system workable, explainable and affordable, according to the Minister. The system must focus “on what people are still able to do”. The detailed assessment of the degree of disability can take place in a different way and/or at a different time; ‘Work comes first’. In addition, the Minister aims at establishing an identical arrangement for both employees and self-employed workers.

The Minister lists a number of short-term options. The focus is on simplifying the current system and reducing the number of bottlenecks and hardships. The WIA will merge into to a single benefit regime, instead of the current IVA and WGA benefits with all its sub-schemes, and it is intended to drop the permanent disability benefit (IVA).

Furthermore, one of the measures being explored is whether the disability threshold for the WIA can be lowered from 35% to 25% (or even 15%) loss of earning capacity.  This would mean that employees could enter into the WIA with minor disability.

With the above measures, according to the Minister, a simplification of the regime can be achieved. But this does not come without its price: the simplification has an effect on the focus of the measures, in some cases also on the rights and obligations of employees claiming benefits, and in almost all cases on the structural benefit costs and the benefit costs for the employer. However, the Minister considers the need for simplicity to be weighty and with it “such robust measures are appropriate”.

The disability system is on the political agenda

The Minister intends to come up with concrete proposals this spring (2025), including a planning of the legislation needed for this and the financial consequences. After that it will be up to the politicians.

Aside from this measure, the agenda also includes easing the reintegration obligations during the second year of illness for small to medium-sized employers.

We will keep you informed of developments. In the meantime, if you need an explanation of the current disability system, please contact us, we will be happy to explain it for you!