Ziektewet sickness benefit terminated: what can you do?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Is your Dutch Ziektewet sickness benefit ending while you disagree with UWV? Immediately read the reason, end date and objection deadline in the letter. For some Sickness Benefits Act decisions, you have only two weeks to lodge an objection, instead of the usual six weeks. An objection does not automatically keep payment in place.
General information about Dutch law · Reviewed on · How we work
On this page
- 1. Determine which decision you have received
- 2. Compare the assessment with your abilities
- 3. Make your objection specific
- 4. Monitor the short objection deadline
- 5. Keep medical information separate
- 6. Discuss the period without payment
- Your checklist
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources and further information
1. Determine which decision you have received
Distinguish between an assessment that you can return to your own work and an assessment of other suitable work and earning capacity. Other grounds may also lead to termination. Note the assessed date, the reasoning and the exact end date. If anything is unclear, request an explanation and the underlying reports. A telephone conversation does not replace a timely objection.
2. Compare the assessment with your abilities
In a Sickness Benefits Act assessment, UWV examines what you are still able to do. If the physician considers you fit for your own work, the benefit may stop quickly. In an occupational assessment, it may matter whether you can earn more than 65% of your former wage. This is a comparison of earning capacity, not a percentage of how ill you are. Not every ill person automatically receives the same assessment. The end date and any exceptions are stated in your decision.
3. Make your objection specific
Set out side by side what UWV assumes, what you believe is incorrect and which evidence supports that. Identify limitations in the work that UWV considers suitable. Check whether the report describes your situation on the assessed date and whether the work and wage data used are correct. A diagnosis without an explanation of functioning is often insufficient to make the dispute clear. If necessary, seek targeted help to distinguish medical and occupational points.
4. Monitor the short objection deadline
Do not assume a six-week deadline without checking: some Sickness Benefits Act decisions have a two-week deadline. Follow the deadline and submission method in the decision letter and do not wait for all evidence. You can lodge a pro forma objection within the deadline with the other required information. UWV will then tell you when your reasons must be submitted. Keep the submission confirmation and respond in time to requests for additional information.
5. Keep medical information separate
UWV requests medical documents by post in a separate sealed envelope marked “medische gegevens” (medical data). If lodging an objection online, send that envelope separately to the address in the decision. If lodging an objection by post, include the sealed medical envelope with the other documents. Do not share medical files in a public chat or general explanation. The download below is a checklist for your preparation, not a submitted objection.
6. Discuss the period without payment
The termination decision remains in force during the objection. Immediately investigate what income or support may be available; unemployment benefit or social assistance does not follow automatically and has its own conditions. In demonstrable urgent circumstances, an interim measure from the court may be appropriate during an objection or appeal. Have the relevant evidence and costs assessed. After the decision on the objection, follow the appeal instructions. A new sickness report or our request for assistance does not replace an objection to the termination.
Your checklist
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
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Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Decision letter, ground for termination, assessed date and end date
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
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Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
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Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
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Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
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0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
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Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Decision letter, ground for termination, assessed date and end date
- Final objection date: explicitly check whether it is two or six weeks
- Medical and occupational reports, job description and wage information
- For each disputed point: factual explanation and evidence regarding the assessed date
- Medical attachments sent separately and proof of submission retained
- Overview of loss of income, available resources and necessary expenses
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have six weeks to lodge an objection?
No. Some Sickness Benefits Act decisions have a two-week deadline. Check your decision letter immediately and seek help in time if in doubt.
Does my Ziektewet sickness benefit continue if I lodge an objection?
Not automatically. The original decision remains in force. Discuss possible support separately and, if urgent, an interim measure.
Does earning more than 65% mean I am fully healthy again?
No. In the relevant occupational assessment, it concerns what you can earn through suitable work compared with your former wage. Check the limitations, work activities and calculation used.