Requesting an exemption from the job search requirement if you are an unpaid carer and you worked in the Public Sector and Education
If you worked in the Public Sector and Education (‘Overheid en Onderwijs’) and are receiving the unemployment benefit, you can request an exemption from the job search requirement if you are providing unpaid care to someone close to you, or you intend to do this.
What are the criteria?
To qualify for an exemption from the job search requirement, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are caring for someone close to you.
- You are providing care that is essential and it requires more time and energy than the standard care for someone who is ill.
How to request an exemption
To request an exemption, complete the online form ‘Requesting an exemption from the job search requirement as an unpaid carer if you worked in the Public Sector and Education’ (‘Aanvraag vrijstelling sollicitatieplicht bij mantelzorg als u werkte bij de overheid of in het onderwijs’). At step 3, choose the option ‘I would like to be freed from the job search requirement due to providing unpaid care’ (‘Ik wil vrijstelling van sollicitatieplicht bij mantelzorg aanvragen’) . You will need a DigiD account and your citizen service number (‘BSN’) to complete the form.
If we approve your request, you will be freed from the job search requirement for a period of 6 months.
How to extend the exemption
You can also use this form to ask us to increase the length of your exemption. To do this, at step 3 you must choose the option ‘I would like to extend an existing exemption’ (‘Ik wil een verlenging van een eerdere vrijstelling aanvragen’).
Decision
You will usually receive a decision about your request within 2 weeks. Your former employer will be informed about our decision as well.