To help us determine what type of support you might qualify for, you will need to apply for a work capacity evaluation (‘aanvraag beoordeling arbeidsvermogen’).

You will receive a letter with the outcome of the evaluation within 14 weeks of us confirming we have received your application. This letter will state the following:

  • whether you are fit for work or can develop the capacity to work
  • what type of support, if any, you will receive
  • whether you will receive this support from UWV or the local council

You will be invited to a meeting with an occupational disability employment counsellor ('arbeidsdeskundige'). During this meeting, you will discuss finding work that suits your capabilities, or how you might reach that goal if you are unable to work yet. The following options might be discussed:

  • finding a work experience placement
  • completing a training course
  • exploring options on the labour market
  • working on your interpersonal or job skills
  • finding volunteer work as a stepping stone to paid work

The agreements that you and the counsellor will make will be included in your work plan or your return-to-work plan (‘re-integratietraject’). 

We will consider you fit for work, or partially fit for work, if you can do 1 or more of the following:

  • perform a task in a work environment
  • stick to the agreements made
  • stay focused on a task for at least 1 hour
  • work at least 4 hours a day

If you are receiving a Wajong benefit, you have certain rights and obligations. If you have some capacity to work, extra obligations will apply:

  • You must fully participate in the creation of a return-to-work plan and you must stick to the agreements made in it.
  • You must do everything you can to find suitable work that meets the earnings expectation set by your counsellor.
  • You must do your best to remain in work once you have found a suitable job.

The level of your Wajong benefit will depend on the following:

  • whether you have, or can develop, the capacity to work
  • whether you are earning an income from work in addition to your benefit
  • whether you decide to work more or fewer hours

Please note: If you work more hours your total income will always go up as you will keep 30 cents of every euro you earn. If your income increases, this may affect any benefit or schemes that apply to you. Be sure to report any changes to your circumstances.

Use the online calculator to estimate the gross income you can expect to receive on a Wajong benefit ('Rekenhulp: hoe hoog is mijn Wajong-uitkering'). You will need the following information:

  • the letter with the final decision on your ability to work
  • a payslip or an estimate of your gross salary

Please note: If you started receiving your Wajong benefit before 2015 and are earning an income in addition to your benefit, you will be entitled to a guaranteed level of income ('wat is het garantiebedrag?').

Depending on your situation, there might be certain tax incentives and other benefits available to you.

Your illness or disability may mean you are unable to work as many hours or do as much work as your peers. You might therefore not be able to earn the national minimum wage for young people (‘minimum(jeugd)loon’) without support. If this is the case, you will fall under the Inclusive Employment Act ('Participatiewet'). This law helps people with an occupational disability find a job.

Being included in the access to work register increases your chances of finding work as it is financially attractive for employers to hire someone who is registered there. You will be included in the access to work register if you fall under the Inclusive Employment Act, or if one of the following situations applies:

  • you have received a recommendation for access to work (‘indicatie banenafspraak’)
  • you are receiving a Wajong benefit and can work independently
  • you have received a recommendation for sheltered work (‘advies indicatie beschut werk’)

If you fall under the Inclusive Employment Act you may also qualify for the following types of disability support (‘voorziening’):

  • job coaches
  • services for people with a loss of hearing or vision
  • services for people with a motor disability
  • transportable disability equipment (‘meeneembare hulpmiddelen’)
  • transportation

If you receive this type of support, you will be included in the access to work register.

If you start doing paid work, or change the number of hours you work, this will affect your Wajong benefit level. We might not be able to immediately determine what your exact benefit level should be based on your new earnings. If this is the case, we will establish a provisional benefit payment (‘voorschot’) with you.
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