Track 2, UWV Information, Legislation and Regulations
UWV New Measure: Practical WIA Assessment
Starting July 1, 2024, the UWV will introduce a new method of assessing WIA applications, called the Practical WIA Assessment. This measure will change how disability is determined for WIA applications, aiming to reduce the backlog of assessments more quickly. The measure is temporary and will be in effect for three years. With this new approach, the UWV aims to conduct up to 4,000 additional WIA assessments annually.
What is the Difference Between Practical and Theoretical Assessment?
Until now, employees applying for WIA were assessed both practically and theoretically. Practical assessment focuses on the actual income the employee earns, while theoretical assessment estimates what the employee could potentially earn in other positions.
The Practical Assessment replaces the theoretical assessment if the employee has income from work. This saves time and makes the assessment process more efficient.
How Does the Practical Assessment Work?
Both the practical and theoretical assessments begin with the evaluation of the reintegration report. This report assesses whether the employer has made sufficient efforts to reintegrate the employee.
- Sufficient Efforts: The WIA application is processed.
- Insufficient Efforts: The employer is given up to 52 weeks to further improve reintegration.
Steps of the Practical Assessment
- Assessment by the Insurance Doctor: The insurance doctor examines whether the employee is unfit for their current job and whether this work exceeds the employee’s capacity.
- Determination of Suitable Work: If the work is suitable and sustainable, the labor expert compares the current salary with the previous salary to determine the degree of disability.
- Conditions: The work must meet three conditions:
- It must be suitable.
- The work must be sustainable.
- The earnings must be representative of the work performed.
Determining Wage Value
In the practical assessment, the labor expert checks whether the current earnings are representative of the work the employee performs. Sometimes a wage value assessment is required.
A wage value assessment compares the tasks performed with a standard function, the job that most closely matches the employee’s tasks. The employee’s performance is compared with the standard performance and expressed as a percentage.
Example of Wage Value Calculation
Suppose an employee earns €2,500 per month and works 40 hours per week. Due to health issues, they can only work 32 hours per week. A wage value assessment shows that the employee works at 65% of their original capacity.
The wage value calculation is as follows:
- Standard Salary: €2,500
- Part-time Factor: 80% (32 out of 40 hours)
- Work Performance: 65%
The wage value is: €2,500 x 80% x 65% = €1,300
The degree of disability is: (€2,500 − €1,300) divided by €2,500, which equals 48%.
Why the Practical Assessment?
This new measure was introduced to reduce waiting times and backlogs in WIA assessments. The Practical Assessment allows the UWV to process applications more quickly. The measure applies to all WIA assessments, including reassessments and reviews of revived terminated WIA rights. It does not apply to other disability assessments, such as the First-Year Sickness Benefit Assessment, WAO, WAZ, and Wajong.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Practical WIA Assessment is a step in the right direction to improve the efficiency and speed of WIA assessments. This benefits both employees and employers by providing clarity on disability and related benefits. It is a positive development that modernizes the process surrounding disability assessments.
