Applying for exemption from job search requirement during unemployment benefits
If you are receiving unemployment benefits (WW), you are required to search for jobs (‘sollicitatieplicht’). This means that you must apply for fitting jobs. You can sometimes be exempt from the job search requirement, such as if you are an informal carer. You will temporarily not have to apply for jobs.
Last updated on 17 September 2024
Exemption job search requirement
You can be exempt from the job search requirement if:
- you are an informal carer. Informal care is when you care for a sick or disabled person close to you;
- you are dealing with a serious crisis in your private life, such as a death in the family or a serious illness.
Applying for exemption from the job search requirement
You can apply for an exemption for the job search requirement with your employment adviser at UWV (Employment Insurance Agency). You can do this via the Work Folder (‘Werkmap’) (in Dutch) on the UWV website.
Exemption from job search requirement after a job in the public sector or in education
Are you receiving unemployment benefits after working in the Public Sector and Education (‘Overheid en Onderwijs’)? Find out more about the exemption at Public Sector and Education: exemption job search requirement (in Dutch).
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Besluit ontheffing verplichtingen sociale zekerheidswetten