Dutch employee insurance agency UWV has broadened its screening criteria to identify errors in WIA disability benefit calculations. Following the adjustment, 13,000 individuals who were previously told their cases did not require review will now undergo manual checks. UWV will inform affected benefit recipients directly in October.
Expanded criteria trigger tens of thousands of manual checks
UWV initially flagged 73,000 WIA benefits for potential daily wage calculation errors. The agency has already confirmed that calculations were correct in approximately 21,000 cases. However, the remaining 52,000 benefits require detailed manual inspection. Internal feedback from staff alerted UWV leadership that early selection rules missed potential error cases, prompting the agency to widen its search parameters.
Backlog focus led to years of systemic errors
The adjustments stem from years of calculation mistakes made when determining disability benefits. A probe by the Court of Audit revealed that UWV prioritized clearing administrative backlogs over maintaining accuracy in benefit calculations. Consequently, tens of thousands of claimants may have received incorrect monthly amounts.
Back-payments scheduled for autumn as overpayments waived
UWV will begin issuing compensation payments this autumn to individuals who received undersized disability benefits. Claimants who were underpaid will receive full back-pay to cover their missed compensation. Conversely, the agency confirmed that benefit recipients who accidentally received overpayments will not have to repay the excess funds.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
