Trade associations have administered employee insurance schemes since 1952. The insurance schemes protect people against loss of income if they become unemployed, sick, or unfit for work. The 26 trade associations are governed by representatives of employees and employers. Of the 26 associations, 17 outsource their administration to the Joint Administrative Office (GAK), and the others to Cadans, GUO, SFB and USZO. Employment services are a task of the government. About 65 Gewestelijke Arbeidsbureaus (regional employment agencies) carry out this task.

Under the leadership of PvdA member Flip Buurmeijer, a parliamentary commission investigated the functioning of the implementing bodies for social insurance laws. A critical report by the Court of Audits was the catalyst for this.

At the end of 2001, a law was adopted to regulate the implementation structure of social security and public employment services: The Structuur Uitvoeringsorganisatie Werk en Inkomen (SUWI) Act. On 1 January 2002, two national organisations were established: The Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) for social security, and the Organisatie Centra Werk en Inkomen (CWI) for employment services. UWV came about as the result of a merger of implementing agencies Cadans, Gak, GUO, SFB and USZO and the client, the Landelijk Instituut Sociale Verzekering (Lisv). It was the biggest merger in public administration since World War II.

In 2004, the parties involved in the Chain Consultation – UWV, CWI, VNG and Divosa – decided to intensify collaboration within the work and income chain. That was for the purpose of integrated service provision. The UWV and CWI established WERKbedrijf (the Public Employment Services division) together.

The WIA succeeded the Disablement Benefits Act (WAO). The act aims to activate people with an occupational disability more. A distinction is made between partial incapacity for work (Wage-related partial disability pension, WGA) and permanent, total incapacity for work (Disablement Benefits Act (WAO)).

The new Wet administratieve lastenverlichting en vereenvoudiging in de sociale verzekeringen (Walvis-SUB) Act made provision for the UWV to transfer the levying and collection of employee insurance premiums to the Tax and Customs Administration. The UWV established a central data register (Policy Administration). It holds data on the wages, benefits and employment contracts of all insured employees in the Netherlands.

The UWV and CWI merged on 1 January 2009. Activities geared towards work fall under the WERKbedrijf (Public Employment Services) division of the UWV.

In 2007, the UWV commenced reorganisation: from law-oriented to process-oriented. The new organisational structure has five divisions: WERKbedrijf (Public Employment Services), Socio-Medical Affairs, Benefits, Data Services, and Client and Service.

In its strategy for 2021-2025, the UWV places greater emphasis on the human touch and customisation of its service delivery to clients.