Conditions for an IVA Benefit in Rotterdam
An IVA benefit, or Income Provision for Fully Disabled Workers, supports residents of Rotterdam who are fully and permanently unfit for work due to illness or a disability. This scheme provides financial stability for people in the port city who can no longer work. In this article, we highlight the conditions for an IVA benefit, focusing on local resources such as the Legal Aid Desk Rotterdam. As an extension of our overview of the IVA benefit - Fully Disabled, we focus on what residents of Rotterdam need to know to submit a successful application with the UWV.
What does an IVA benefit entail for residents of Rotterdam?
The IVA benefit is part of the Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act (WIA) and is intended for employees in Rotterdam who remain fully unfit for work after two years of illness, with no prospect of recovery. Unlike the WGA benefit for partial disability, the IVA applies to cases where reintegration is not possible, such as with long-term conditions in the demanding work environment of Rotterdam. The benefit amounts to 75% of the last salary and is lifelong, except in cases of changes in your situation.
Legal basis of the IVA benefit
The IVA benefit is established in the WIA, specifically in articles 43 to 50. The UWV handles the assessments, while the Gatekeeper Improvement Act (articles 2:3 to 2:25 of the SUWI Act) requires employers and employees in Rotterdam to make reintegration efforts during the first two years of illness. In disputes, you can turn to the Rotterdam District Court for a second opinion.
Under article 43 of the WIA, you qualify if, after 104 weeks of illness, you are at least 80% unfit for work and this is permanent – lasting more than five years without any chance of recovery. "Permanent" here means not necessarily forever, but a long-term lack of job prospects, which is particularly relevant for residents of Rotterdam in physically demanding jobs.
Key conditions for an IVA benefit
To qualify for an IVA benefit in Rotterdam, you must meet medical, occupational, and administrative requirements. We will go through them, with tips for local support through the Municipality of Rotterdam or the Legal Aid Desk.
Medical requirements
You must be fully unfit for work due to illness or disability, as assessed by a UWV insurance physician based on your medical history and future outlook. The unfitness must be permanent, with no realistic recovery within a few years. This includes chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis or severe mental health issues, which are common in stressful jobs in Rotterdam.
Occupational requirements
A UWV occupational expert checks whether you can earn less than 20% of your salary in suitable work on the Rotterdam job market. The Claim Assessment for Disability (CBA) uses a job list to determine if alternative positions are feasible, taking into account local sectors such as logistics.
Administrative and insurance requirements
- You must be insured under the WIA, as most employees and some benefit recipients in Rotterdam are.
- Submit the application within two months after 104 weeks of illness to the UWV.
- You and your employer must demonstrate reintegration efforts through a reintegration report; the Legal Aid Desk Rotterdam can assist in preparing this.
Failing to make these efforts can result in a wage sanction from the UWV, which reduces your chances for an IVA benefit in Rotterdam. The Municipality of Rotterdam offers additional support for reintegration.
Examples of IVA conditions in the Rotterdam context
For instance, imagine you are a 45-year-old dockworker from Rotterdam with a severe back injury that makes lifting and standing for long periods impossible. After two years of rehabilitation, your doctor determines that recovery is ruled out. The UWV concludes: medically 100% unfit, no occupational options in the port or elsewhere. You receive the IVA benefit.
Another case: a Rotterdam IT specialist with burnout and depression. Despite treatment, the prognosis remains negative. The UWV sees no job opportunities in the local tech sector, so the IVA benefit is approved. However, if part-time work is possible, you fall under the WGA benefit. Many residents of Rotterdam struggle with incomplete files; the Legal Aid Desk Rotterdam provides free advice on documentation.
Rights and obligations with IVA in Rotterdam
Rights:
- 75% of your daily wage, adjusted annually.
- No routine reassessment, unless your situation changes, such as starting new work in Rotterdam.
- Access to extras, like travel expenses if you work limited hours, through the UWV or Municipality of Rotterdam.
- Report any changes in health or income immediately to the UWV.
- Cooperate with checks or forms.
- If you work up to 20% of your previous salary, report it right away.
Failure to comply can lead to the benefit being suspended; the Legal Aid Desk Rotterdam can help with objection procedures at the Rotterdam District Court.
Comparison of IVA with WGA benefit
For clarity, we compare the IVA benefit with the WGA benefit in a table, tailored to situations in Rotterdam:
| Aspect | IVA Benefit | WGA Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Degree of unfitness | >80% and permanent | 35-80%, not permanent |
| Amount | 75% of daily wage | 70% or wage-related, depending on the case |
| Duration | Lifelong (no reassessment) | Temporary, with reassessment |
| Conditions | Fully unfit, no reintegration prospects | Partially unfit, with reintegration obligation |
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