Calculation of Amount and Duration of WW Benefit in Westland
Determining the amount and duration of your WW benefit depends on your employment history and your last earned salary. By gaining insight into these calculations, you can better manage your finances during a period of unemployment in Westland. For legal support, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Westland.
Amount of your WW Benefit
Your WW benefit is determined based on your daily wage, which is an average of your gross daily income.
How is the Daily Wage Calculated?
The UWV uses the following method to calculate your daily wage:
- Add up your total salary from the year preceding your unemployment (reference year).
- Divide this amount by the number of days you received salary.
- Multiply the result by 261 (number of working days per year) and then divide by 12.
Maximum Daily Wage Limit
There is an upper limit for the daily wage of €274.44 gross per day (as of 2024). This equates to a maximum WW benefit of approximately €4,795 gross per month.
Benefit Percentages
| Period | Percentage of daily wage |
|---|---|
| First 2 months | 75% |
| From the 3rd month | 70% |
Example of a 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 last 36 weeks), you will receive at least 3 months WW benefit.
Extension of the Benefit (Yearly Requirement)
If you also meet the yearly requirement (worked at least 4 out of the 5 calendar years before your unemployment), 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 longest period you can receive WW is 24 months.
Actual and Fictitious Employment History
Your employment history is divided into two categories:
Actual Employment History
This includes the years in which you actually worked in paid employment since 1998.
Fictitious Employment History
These are the years between your 18th birthday and 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 employment)
- 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 for your employment history, regardless of whether it was full-time or part-time.
UWV WW Calculator
The UWV has a handy online WW calculator available on their website (uwv.nl), with which you can estimate the amount and duration of your benefit.
What Qualifies as Employment History?
- Work in paid employment in the Netherlands
- Civil service work
- Military service time
- Periods with WW, Sickness Benefit or WIA benefit
- Work abroad within EU/EEA (under conditions)
What Does Not Count as Employment History?
- Work as a self-employed person (zzp’er)
- Work outside the EU/EEA
- Volunteer activities
- Internships without employment contract
Effect on your Net Pay
Deductions are made from your gross WW benefit, such as:
- Wage tax and premiums
- Pension premiums (if applicable)
- Possible garnishments
As a result, your net benefit is lower than the gross amount.
Holiday Allowance with WW
You accrue holiday allowance on your WW benefit. This amounts to 8% of your gross benefit and is paid annually in May.
Frequently Asked Questions about WW in Westland
Is extension of my WW benefit possible?
No, the duration of the WW is fixed based on your employment history at the start. After it ends, you can possibly apply for social assistance via the municipality of Westland.
What happens if I find work in the meantime and become unemployed again?
When building up new WW entitlement, you can submit a new application. Sometimes previous entitlements can be restored.
How is income from part-time work offset?
Income from work is partially offset against your WW benefit. For more information, you can contact the UWV or the Juridisch Loket Westland.