Can I still receive WAO or restart an old WAO benefit?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
WAO is an older Dutch incapacity scheme, not another name for WIA. Illness beginning before 1 January 2004 or an earlier WAO entitlement may matter. Check old decisions and the date your health worsened; UWV assesses whether first application, restart or change is appropriate.
On this page
1. Distinguish WAO from new WIA
For a first WAO application UWV states: illness began before 1 January 2004, continued afterwards and you have not applied for WAO before. Former recipients use the restart route. If illness began later, do not automatically use WAO; establish the appropriate scheme. A diagnosis alone does not prove insured entitlement.
2. Check possible restart
Restart may be possible at least 15% incapacity where health worsened from the same illness or disability within five years after earlier WAO ended. Even when applying later now, deterioration within that five-year window may matter. Keep the cessation letter and medical timeline. UWV states an awarded restart begins four weeks after deterioration; this is not an application deadline or guarantee.
3. Prepare the official application
Use the current WAO or Opnieuw WAO application route on uwv.nl and ask UWV for help if it does not fit. Prepare previous benefit details, first illness date, deterioration date and requested employment/income records. Check the required reintegration papers and who sends them. Send medical information yourself directly to UWV, not through your employer or our chat; postal medical papers go separately sealed as instructed. Keep receipt proof.
4. Read your WAO calculation
The amount depends on benefit phase, incapacity class and circumstances. Wage-loss and follow-up benefits use different bases. A follow-up benefit uses a percentage of the follow-up daily wage; age at the first WAO day and daily wage matter. Work, pension and supplements may change payment. Do not simply assume 75% of your last wage.
5. Check payment date and net amount
Check gross amount, deductions and net payment in Mijn UWV. UWV pays in arrears near month-end according to the current calendar, not on the same date every month. It says banks usually need another three working days. Holiday pay is paid in May. For a missing payment check statement and bank; promptly call UWV about an incorrect amount.
6. Report changes and check the decision
UWV has separate forms for personal/work changes and health, including a route for people abroad. Use the appropriate route. A follow-up benefit may continue to AOW age if circumstances stay unchanged but can end earlier. Read a new decision’s reasons, objection route and deadline. Seek help promptly with income loss; our preparation neither submits nor suspends anything.
Is WAO only available to current recipients?
No. UWV describes both a first application for continuous illness beginning before 1 January 2004 and possible restart after earlier entitlement. Conditions differ; have the old decisions and timeline checked.
Documents to prepare
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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Old WAO decisions and cessation 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.
What goes in my timeline?
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.
How do I save my timeline?
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.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
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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.
- Old WAO decisions and cessation date
- First illness and deterioration dates
- Same cause and current restrictions
- Requested employment/income records
- Medical records direct to UWV
- Calculation, payment and objection route
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
UWV · WAO aanvragen ↗UWV · Opnieuw WAO ↗UWV · Documenten WAO ↗UWV · Hoogte WAO ↗UWV · Betaling WAO ↗UWV · Vervolguitkering WAO ↗UWV · Wijzigingen WAO ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.