AAW (General Disablement Act)

The purpose of the provisions under the terms of the General Disablement Act (AAW) is to enable the client to keep on working or find a new job. When the client needs an occupational allowance, this law might be appealed to. The application must be submitted to the Industrial Insurance Board. The AAW applies to everybody who lives or works in the Netherlands under the age of 65.

Occupational allowances

Allowances for the work place may be applied for by the client him/herself. Specific portable provisions may also be reimbursed under the terms of the AAW. Principle in this is that the client should not be restricted in the possibilities of changing jobs. It concerns mainly special work / office chairs, car seats, adjustable tables or table tops and aids for standing.

Occupational transport

An occupational transport allowance may be obtained if a client is not able to use public transport or a (motor)bike to go to work due to a handicap.

The client may then be eligible for:

• a vehicle (loan-car);

• a reimbursement of the costs of a wheelchair and/or taxi;

• a mileage allowance for the private or loan-car;

• a reimbursement of the costs made for adaptations to the private or loan-car.

When the person involved becomes unemployed or stops working for a while, he/she does not immediately lose the right to the transport allowance. The allowance is continued for up to a year, even when the client is not working. After this, an application must be submitted to the council for a social transport allowance under the terms of the WVG.

Income limit

In the AAW the ownership of a car from a specific gross income (currently around f 54.000 and f 80.500 for a second car) is considered to be common practice. Above this income limit

no further allowances will therefore be granted for commuter transport. Adaptations to the private car may, however, be reimbursed.

Threshold figure

For costs amounting up to f 190 a calendar year, it is not possible to claim an AAW allowance. Should the costs rise during a calendar year, which in turn causes the threshold figure to exceed, then the additional costs may be reimbursed.

Procedure of objection