ziektewet

Ziektewet, or the Sickness Benefits Act, is a Dutch social security provision that provides wage replacement to employees who become ill and are not receiving paid sick leave from their employer. It is part of the Netherlands’ Werknemersverzekeringen (employee insurances) and is administered by the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen).

Eligibility generally requires an employment relationship with a Dutch employer and earnings in recent periods. The benefit is intended to replace part of the income lost due to illness. The exact amount is determined by UWV and is usually calculated as a percentage of the employee’s earnings, subject to a maximum daily wage.

If an employer is legally obliged to pay salary during sickness, the Ziektewet does not apply or is not used. The Ziektewet provides benefits when the employer does not pay wages during illness or when the employee would not receive wages because of a break in employment. The benefit can be paid for up to 2 years of sickness; after that period, the individual may qualify for long-term incapacity benefits under the WIA (Work and Income according to Labor Capacity).

Administration and claims typically involve a medical certificate from a physician and administrative reporting by the employer to UWV. The Ziektewet is distinct from health insurance and from unemployment benefits; it is one component of the Dutch system of social insurance for workers. It does not generally cover self-employed persons, except in limited circumstances through specific schemes.