My employer's inability to pay
What would you like help with?
Report payment problems quickly. The inability-to-pay benefit covers only certain periods and wage components.
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
When your employer is permanently unable to pay wages, UWV may, subject to conditions, take over part of your wage arrears and amounts relating to the notice period.
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.
- One late payment or permanent inability to pay?
- Make an overview for each pay period
- When can inability to pay arise?
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
One late payment or permanent inability to pay?
A late wage payment does not automatically mean that the UWV scheme applies. Record whether your employer can still be reached, whether colleagues are also not being paid and what information is available about the financial situation. This helps distinguish an ordinary wage claim from permanent inability to pay.
Make an overview for each pay period
For each month, note what you should have received, what was actually paid and what is still missing. Keep wages, overtime and other items separate. Add payslips and proof of payment. Keep records of contact with any trustee and ask UWV which application route applies to your situation.
When can inability to pay arise?
This may occur in bankruptcy, suspension of payments, debt restructuring or a factual situation in which the employer has permanently stopped paying and no recovery is expected.
What can UWV take over?
Subject to conditions, UWV can take over wage arrears for a limited period, wages for part of the notice period and certain holiday allowances or pension contributions. Not every older claim is covered.
What should you document yourself?
Keep payslips, timesheets, your contract, collective labour agreement, bank statements and written wage claims. Also record when the employer or trustee contacts you and check the amounts stated.
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.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 5 · Where do you stand with this item?
Date of last full wage payment
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
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.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 5 · 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.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Date of last full wage payment
- Outstanding pay periods and hours
- Holiday pay, pension and expense claims
- Contact details of trustee or administrator
- Report and application to UWV
Frequently asked questions
Does the employer already have to be bankrupt?
Not always. Other statutory or factual situations of permanent inability to pay may also count, subject to conditions.
Will UWV pay all my wage arrears?
No. The scheme has limited periods and categories. Older claims may fall outside the coverage.