Applying for unemployment benefits in the Netherlands

You may be entitled to unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering) if you meet these conditions:

• You worked for 26 consecutive weeks in the 36 weeks before you became unemployed

• You have worked in salaried employment

• You live in the Netherlands

• You worked an average of 10 hours per week

• You lose 5 hours or more of work per week

• You did not become unemployed through your own fault

• You can immediately start looking for other gainful employment

You can apply for unemployment benefits 1 week before the first day you become unemployed. You can also do this within 1 week of your last day of work. If you do this later, and you are still entitled to the benefit, you will receive a lower amount at the beginning of the benefit.

You apply for unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering) from the

Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV)

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The UWV sends a letter to let you know if you are entitled to 'WW-uitkering'. If you are entitled, the letter will tell you the amount you will receive per month and how many months you will receive it.

How much 'WW-uitkering' you get depends on your salary. In the first 2 months it is 75% of your daily wage, then 70%. The daily wage is your average daily wage over the past year.

If you cannot manage to apply for unemployment benefits yourself, the financial support centre in your municipality can help you. Ask your municipality where this can be found. It is often in the library or another public building. Or go to VluchtelingenWerk (Nederland) in your municipality for help.

If you are not entitled to 'WW-uitkering' because you do not meet the conditions, you can ask the municipality where you live to receive living allowance. You can also apply for living allowance if your 'WW-uitkering' stops and you have not yet found other work.