Calculation of Amount and Duration of WW Benefit in Rijswijk
The amount and duration of a WW benefit are determined by your employment history and the salary you previously earned. Understanding these calculations helps you better manage your finances during a period of unemployment in Rijswijk. For legal support, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Rijswijk.
Amount of the WW Benefit
Your WW benefit is determined based on your daily wage, which is an average of your gross salary per day.
How is the Daily Wage Calculated?
The UWV determines your daily wage using the following steps:
- All income from the year before your unemployment (reference year) is added up.
- This total is divided by the number of days you received salary.
- The result is multiplied by 261 (number of working days per year) and then divided by 12.
Maximum Daily Wage
There is a maximum daily wage set at €274.44 gross per day (2024). This means that the maximum monthly WW benefit is approximately €4,795 gross.
Benefit Percentages
| Time Period | Percentage of Daily Wage |
|---|---|
| First 2 months | 75% |
| From the 3rd month | 70% |
Example Calculation
Suppose your daily wage is €150:
- First 2 months: €150 x 75% = €112.50 per day
- From month 3: €150 x 70% = €105 per day
- Monthly amount first 2 months: approximately €2,438 gross
- Monthly amount from month 3: approximately €2,275 gross
Duration of the WW Benefit
The length of your WW benefit is determined by your employment history. There are two important criteria:
Basic Benefit (Weekly Requirement)
If you meet the weekly requirement (at least 26 weeks worked in the past 36 weeks), you are entitled to at least 3 months WW benefit.
Extended Benefit (Yearly Requirement)
If you also meet the yearly requirement (worked in at least 4 of the 5 previous calendar years), the duration of your benefit is extended.
Overview of Benefit Duration
| Employment History | WW Benefit Duration |
|---|---|
| Weekly requirement only | 3 months |
| 4 years worked | 4 months |
| 5 years worked | 5 months |
| 10 years worked | 10 months |
| 15 years worked | 15 months |
| 20 years worked | 20 months |
| 26+ years worked | 24 months (maximum) |
The maximum duration of a WW benefit is 24 months.
Actual and Fictitious Employment History
Your employment history consists of two parts:
Actual Employment History
These are the years in which you were actually employed as an employee since 1998.
Fictitious Employment History
This concerns the years from your 18th birthday until 1998, which are automatically counted as employment history.
Example Employment History
If you were born in 1975 and become unemployed in 2024:
- Fictitious employment history: 1993-1998 = 5 years
- Actual employment history: 1998-2024 = 26 years (with continuous work)
- Total employment history: 31 years
- Maximum WW duration: 24 months
Effect of Part-Time Work
For part-time work, each year in which you worked at least 208 hours counts as a full year of employment history, regardless of whether you worked part-time or full-time.
UWV WW Calculator
The UWV offers a convenient online WW calculator with which you can estimate the amount and duration of your benefit. You can find this tool on the uwv.nl website.
What Counts as Employment History?
- Employment under payroll in the Netherlands
- Civil service employment
- Military service time
- Periods with WW, Sickness Benefits Act, or WIA benefit
- Work abroad within the EU/EEA (under conditions)
What Does Not Count?
- Work as a self-employed person (zzp’er)
- Work outside the EU/EEA
- Volunteer activities
- Internships without a formal employment contract
Impact on Net Pay
Deductions are made from your gross WW benefit, such as:
- Wage tax and premiums
- Pension premium (if applicable)
- Possible garnishments on income
As a result, your net benefit is lower than the gross amount.
Holiday Pay with WW
You receive holiday pay on your WW benefit, which amounts to 8% of your gross benefit. This is paid annually in May.
Frequently Asked Questions about WW in Rijswijk
Can the duration of my WW benefit be extended?
No, the duration of the WW benefit is fixed based on your employment history at the start. After it ends, you can apply for a social assistance benefit if necessary.
What happens if I find temporary work and become unemployed again?
If you build up new WW entitlement, you can submit a new application. In some cases, previous entitlements can be reactivated.
Legal Support in Rijswijk
For questions or disputes about your WW benefit, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Rijswijk. In addition, cases fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court of The Hague.