Overwhelmed by the UWV on the phone
Ron has been home sick for over a year and a half. Despite reintegration attempts, he will no longer be able to return to his workplace. He has applied for a wia benefit.
Picture: Type tank
Ron receives a call from an employee of the UWV benefits agency, who to his surprise indicates that he wants to process his benefit application by telephone. Ron is startled and says that he does not want to have a conversation at the moment. He manages to reschedule the telephone appointment. Immediately afterwards, he calls the information and advice center of the AOb. Is it true that the UWV is now calling for wia inspections? And is that allowed just like that?
Unpleasant
De AOb has recently received more reports about this procedure from the UWV. The fact that the benefits agency seeks contact by telephone, of course, has everything to do with the corona crisis. This does not alter the fact that people can feel overwhelmed by this. In addition, it can be experienced as unpleasant and impersonal to discuss your (medical) situation by telephone.
The UWV is free to determine whether an assessment can be handled by telephone, but that does not mean that Ron is immediately obliged to have an interview. It is therefore good that Ron has moved the conversation to a more favorable time for him. The AOb advises to always involve someone in such a conversation. This can be a family member or friend, but also a wia supervisor via the AOb.
If you believe that a physical appointment is necessary, you can of course always indicate this to the UWV.
Wia consultation hour, sign up!
If you drop out as an employee in education due to illness and the sick leave lasts longer, you will be confronted with complicated regulations. AObmembers can join register for the wia consultation hour. Trade union consultants and wia counselors then provide information about what the sick employee should take into account. In addition, work and income, the role of the company doctor and reintegration are discussed.
