To qualify for an UWV top-up benefit, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are living in the Netherlands.
• You are aged 18 or older, and you have not yet reached the state pension age (‘AOW-leeftijd’).
• Your total gross income (‘bruto-inkomen’) is below the guaranteed minimum income. This is the minimum amount people need to meet their basic needs. The amount of guaranteed minimum income that applies to you depends on your age and living situation. For example, whether you are living alone or with a partner. The guaranteed minimum income page shows the amount for each situation.

In addition, 1 of the following must also apply to your situation:

• You are receiving a benefit from UWV.
• You are receiving a sickness benefit (‘Ziektewet-uitkering’) from your employer or previous employer.
• You are ill, and your employer is paying you a lower wage than before you became ill.

You will not qualify for an UWV top-up benefit in the following cases:

• You are under 21 and living with a parent or parents.
• You have voluntary income protection coverage for employee's national insurance contribution (‘vrijwillig verzekerd voor werknemersverzekeringen’).
• You are married or living with a partner who was born after 31 December 1971, and you do not have any children younger than 12 living with you.
• You are moving to a country where you are not entitled to an UWV top-up benefit. Find out which countries you can take your UWV top-up benefit to (in Dutch, ‘Naar welk land uitkering meenemen’).

An UWV top-up benefit supplements your gross income to the level of guaranteed minimum income that applies to your age and living situation, but not above it.

If your gross income was already below the guaranteed minimum income before your benefit or illness started, for example because you were working part-time, the UWV top-up benefit will supplement your income up to your previous gross income, but no higher. 

You will also receive 8% holiday pay (‘vakantiegeld’) on your UWV top-up benefit.

If your circumstances change

It is important that you report any changes in your personal situation or income as soon as possible. We will then recalculate your UWV top-up benefit to make sure you receive the correct amount.