WIA benefit denied: how do you check the decision?
Has your Dutch WIA application been denied? Check the reason, the assessed date and the medical and occupational substantiation. Lodge an objection in time if you believe the decision is incorrect. Being less than 35% incapacitated for work does not mean that you are not ill: for WIA, it concerns loss of earning capacity, in addition to the other conditions.
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
General information about Dutch law · Reviewed on · How we work
Your personal starting plan
Start with these three steps. Open the explanation that fits your situation and then complete your checklist.
- 1. Read which condition UWV says is missing
- 2. Distinguish limitations from earning capacity
- 3. Organise your counterarguments by disputed point
Go to your checklist and preparation
This starting plan helps you prepare and saves nothing automatically. It is not an individual legal assessment and does not monitor deadlines.
On this page
- 1. Read which condition UWV says is missing
- 2. Distinguish limitations from earning capacity
- 3. Organise your counterarguments by disputed point
- 4. Lodge an objection in time
- 5. Send medical documents separately
- 6. Arrange income and follow-up support separately
- Your checklist
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources and further information
1. Read which condition UWV says is missing
WIA generally becomes relevant after 104 weeks of illness. A denial can have various reasons; do not automatically assume there was an error in the medical assessment. Read the decision and the accompanying reports. Note the effective date being assessed by UWV, the reason for denial and the objection instructions. Request any missing documents, but do not wait for them before safeguarding your deadline.
2. Distinguish limitations from earning capacity
The insurance physician assesses your abilities and limitations. The occupational expert examines what work fits those and what you can earn from it. The percentage of incapacity for work compares that earning capacity with your previous wage. If the loss is less than 35%, there is no entitlement to WIA on that basis. A diagnosis alone does not prove that the calculation is incorrect; state which specific limitation or selected task has not been assessed properly. The assessment process may differ depending on the situation.
3. Organise your counterarguments by disputed point
Create three columns: what the report says, what you believe is incorrect and which document supports it. For example, describe how long you can sit, lift or concentrate, insofar as that is relevant to your objection. Use relevant information about the assessed date and explain the connection with your functioning. Also check the wage and job data used. A health situation that changed later requires a separate assessment; a new report does not replace an objection to the earlier decision.
4. Lodge an objection in time
A WIA decision generally has a six-week deadline. Check the final date and the official channel in the decision letter. If you do not yet have your reasons, lodge a pro forma objection within the deadline with the other required information. UWV will then give you a deadline for supplementing it. State the contested decision and your details; sign a letter and keep the proof of receipt. Calling for an explanation is not a substitute for an objection.
5. Send medical documents separately
Follow the current UWV instructions for your objection. Send medical information by post in a separate sealed envelope marked “medische gegevens” (medical data). If lodging an objection online, send that envelope separately by post to the address in the decision; if lodging an objection by post, include the sealed medical envelope with the other documents. Do not place medical files in a public chat or general explanation. The checklist below helps with preparation and does not submit anything.
6. Arrange income and follow-up support separately
During the objection, the original decision remains in force; you therefore do not automatically receive WIA. If you are short of money, discuss immediately what support may be available. Unemployment benefit or social assistance is only possible if you meet the relevant conditions. In an acute emergency, an interim measure from the court may be appropriate in addition to an objection or appeal; have the urgency, evidence and possible costs assessed. After the decision on the objection, follow the appeal instructions. Our own request for assistance does not suspend any deadline and does not replace an objection.
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, assessed date, reference number and final objection date
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
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View all details, notes and timeline
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.
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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, assessed date, reference number and final objection date
- Medical report, occupational report and wage and job data used
- For each disputed point: a specific limitation or calculation with supporting evidence
- Relevant medical documents sent separately, in accordance with UWV mailing instructions
- Proof of receipt of the objection and any deadline for supplementing it
- If you are short of money: income, available resources and necessary expenses
Frequently asked questions
Does less than 35% mean UWV considers me healthy?
No. The WIA percentage concerns loss of earning capacity. Medical limitations may still be present. Check both the limitations and the occupational substantiation.
Do I have to wait for information from my doctor?
No, do not let the objection deadline expire because of this. A timely pro forma objection gives you room to supplement the reasons within the deadline set afterwards.
Can I attach my medical file online to the objection?
UWV requests medical data separately by post in a sealed envelope marked “medische gegevens” (medical data), even if you lodge an objection online. Follow the address and instructions in the decision.