Applying for support to reintegrate into the labour market
Have you been out of work for a long time? Do you want to start working again? You can get support for your return to work. This is known as reintegration (re-integratie). It is provided by the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen – UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) or your municipality.
If you are on benefits, the UWV will help you find a job. You will be given a reintegration plan (in Dutch) and assistance including personal support and workplace adaptation (in Dutch).
As to who helps you, this will depend on what benefits you receive. Do you receive occupational incapacity benefits (arbeidsongeschiktheidsuitkering) such as WAZ, WAO, ZW, Wajong or WGA ? Then you will receive support from an employment counsellor. If you receive a WW-uitkering (unemployment benefits), you will get a job adviser.
If you receive benefits from your municipality, this municipality will help you find a job. This support is provided in the form of training, work or guidance.
You cannot refuse the municipality’s support. If you do, the municipality may lower your benefits.
This is how it works in your (future) place of residence
Municipality of Zaanstad: Applying for support to reintegrate into the labour market
If you receive a social benefit from the municipality, you are expected to do everything you can to earn your own income again, even if this is temporary or part-time work. There are several options for returning to work.
Participation in a reintegration program is mandatory and often a condition for a benefit under the Participation Act. You are obliged to comply with all agreements, to cooperate in the process and to complete it (unless you find a paid job sooner).
In a reintegration process or action plan, it is determined which reintegration facilities are most suitable for you. With these facilities you can gain knowledge and work experience and increase your chances of a paid job. Those facilities can be:
- a refresher or refresher course
- a (apprenticeship) work placement or trial placement while retaining benefits
- a participation (co-working) place with retention of benefits
- a secondment job or other subsidized job, for example Matchingsunit
- volunteer work
If you receive benefits, you also have obligations. For example, you must do everything you can to get back to work.
For example:
- Try to find paid work. You must look for vacancies, apply for jobs and be registered with 1 or more employment agencies.
- Look for work not only in the area where you live, but also in the surrounding areas or beyond. What happens if you find or are offered work? Then you must accept that work.
- Be prepared to travel for work.
- Cooperate with the municipality to create and implement a plan for your reintegration.
- Actively update or improve your knowledge and skills.
Contact your municipality for help and information.
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Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Zaanstad
Laws and regulations
- Participatiewet, artikelen 7 en 10
- Wet op de arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering, artikel 65f
- Wet arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering zelfstandigen, artikel 67d
- Wet arbeidsongeschiktheidsvoorziening jonggehandicapten, artikel 3.66
- Wet inkomensvoorziening voor oudere werklozen, artikel 11
- Werkloosheidswet, artikel 73
- Wet inkomensvoorziening oudere en gedeeltelijk arbeidsongeschikte gewezen zelfstandigen, artikel 36
- Wet inkomensvoorziening oudere en gedeeltelijk arbeidsongeschikte werkloze werknemers, artikel 36
- Wet werk en inkomen naar arbeidsvermogen, artikel 34a