Declared unfit for work due to Long COVID (Post-COVID)
In the first nine months of 2022, UWV carried out 1.239 WIA assessments on people with Long COVID (Post-COVID). In the majority of cases, they were declared fully incapacitated for work. C-support is impressed by the high numbers but also satisfied with the recognition of the disease. Long COVID has an enormous impact on people and society. C-support is committed to ensuring that this group of patients is not left on the sidelines.
Employees who have been ill for two years and are therefore unable to work or are able to work less, may be entitled to a disability benefit (Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act, WIA). UWV determines whether people are eligible.
In the WIA assessments, an insurance physician looks at the limitations and (remaining) work possibilities of a client. An occupational expert then looks at what work someone can still do and how much he can earn with it compared to his old salary. The decline compared to that old salary determines the degree of incapacity for work. This also explains why the WIA assessment can lead to a different outcome for people with similar complaints. Anyone who is less than 35 percent incapacitated for work is not entitled to a WIA benefit.
Most people completely incapacitated for work
In June, UWV published data for the first time on the WIA assessments that UWV has been conducting since the beginning of this year for people who have been ill for two years due to corona complaints. In the first five months of 2022, 736 assessments were conducted. Since then, the number has risen to a total of 1.239 assessments at the end of September. The picture is virtually unchanged: 84 percent of cases are awarded benefits.
In a small number of cases, 9 percent of the total, it concerns a so-called IVA benefit due to full and permanent incapacity for work. In most cases, 50 percent of the total, it concerns a so-called WGA 80-100 benefit where someone is currently fully incapacitated for work, but improvement of the resilience is not ruled out. In 25 percent of the people, a benefit is awarded due to partial incapacity for work (WGA 35-80).
About 16 percent of people are less than 35 percent disabled and therefore not entitled to a WIA benefit. This does not mean that these clients do not have complaints, it only means that they can earn at least 65 percent of their old salary with the work opportunities that are still available. The law stipulates that there is no right to a disability benefit if the decline in salary is less than 35 percent.
Work as a health determinant
“Because work is a health determinant is, it gives meaning to your life, it is of great importance that we look for ways to help these people back to work. Or to think about a form of meaningful use of time. It cannot be that this group in the WIA remains on the sidelines, according to Annemieke de Groot, director of C-support.
C-support supports people with Long COVID to continue working for as long as possible with their complaints or to resume their work. Together with the Center for Work Health, information and educational materials developed and handouts drawn up. C-support also provides training to doctors and other healthcare providers in the field of Long COVID, including professionals from the UWV.
Scientific research into the impact of corona on disability
'The new figures also show that the impact of long-term corona complaints, the post-COVID syndrome, on people's lives is great', says Chantal Gielen, medical advisor at UWV. 'That is also what our insurance doctors see in the consultation room. As UWV, we take this very seriously. We do this by ensuring that our doctors are aware of the latest knowledge developments in this area, but also by initiating scientific research ourselves. Because these figures provide an initial picture, but we would like to look deeper into the social consequences.'
That is why UWV is conducting a national study into the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disability and the consequences for health and participation. The study was set up by the Limburg district in collaboration with the Zuyderland hospital. The first results of the study are expected shortly.
In addition, research has been conducted into the barriers experienced by patients with post-COVID syndrome. This was done in collaboration with C-support and the Center for Work Health. These results are also expected soon. See COVWORKS
“We advocate for more additional research into this group that is now ending up in the WIA. What are the long-term consequences, what is helpful and how can this group continue to make a social contribution. It is especially important to keep them in the picture, I am really committed to this group, concludes Annemieke de Groot.”
