Unemployment Benefit Law in Leiden: Your Employment History Determines Your Benefit
For an **unemployment benefit (WW)**, your **employment history** plays a crucial role. It affects not only the amount, but also the duration of your benefit. In Leiden, you can go to the **District Court of The Hague, Leiden Location** or the **Legal Aid Office Leiden (Stationsweg 46)** for legal support. This article explains how your work experience is assessed, which rules apply, and what you can do if your situation is complex.
If you become unemployed in the Leiden region, you can apply for an **Unemployment Act (WW) benefit** from the UWV under certain conditions. One of the most important factors determining your entitlement to benefit is your **employment history**. This covers the last 36 months (3 years) prior to your unemployment. Whether you are entitled to WW and how high your benefit is depends on how much you have worked, for how long, and in which sectors. In Leiden, you can consult the **Legal Aid Office Leiden** with questions. This article explains exactly how your **employment history** is assessed and what this means for your benefit.
What is Your Employment History in Leiden?
Your **employment history** is the period of 36 months before your unemployment in which you performed paid work in the Leiden region or elsewhere. This includes not only full-time jobs, but also part-time work, temporary contracts, sick leave, and even periods in which you received a benefit (such as a **Sickness Benefits Act (ZW) benefit** or **Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act (WIA) benefit**). The **UWV** assesses this period to determine whether you are entitled to an unemployment benefit and how high that benefit will be. In case of objection or appeal, you can go to the **District Court of The Hague, Leiden Location**.
Which Periods Count?
Not all periods in your employment history count equally. The following periods are taken into account in the calculation of your WW rights:
- Paid work: Full-time or part-time work in Leiden or elsewhere, including temporary contracts.
- Sick leave: If you were ill and received a **Sickness Benefits Act (ZW) benefit** for it.
- WIA benefit: If you received a **Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act (WIA)** benefit.
- Previous WW benefit: If you previously received a WW benefit, this may be included in your employment history.
- Training or education: Paid training or education in the last 3 years that was directly related to your work may sometimes count.
Important for Leiden: Unpaid periods, such as studying without pay or volunteer work, do not count towards your WW rights. Periods without income (for example, between jobs) are also not taken into account, unless you received a benefit. Contact **Legal Aid Office Leiden, Stationsweg 46** for personal advice.
Which Periods Do Not Count?
The following periods are not taken into account in the calculation of your employment history:
- Periods without income (for example, between jobs without a benefit).
- Volunteer work or unpaid internships in Leiden.
- Study periods without paid work experience.
- Periods with a social assistance benefit or WW supplement (not substitute benefits for employment history).
Legal Basis: How is Your Employment History Assessed in Leiden?
The rules for assessing your employment history are laid down in the **Unemployment Act (WW)**. The most important articles are:
- Article 10 WW: Limitation of the right to benefit (sufficiently worked in the 36 months preceding).
- Article 11 WW: Calculation of benefit amount based on lowest and highest income in the last 3 years.
- Article 12 WW: Conditions for benefit duration (dependent on age and employment history).
- Article 13 WW: Special rules for young people under 27 (minimum hours worked).
The **Unemployment Act Implementation Decree (Urw)** regulates the practical calculation of your average daily wage. In case of disputes, you can litigate at the **District Court of The Hague, Leiden Location**.
How is the Amount of Your WW Benefit Determined?
The amount of your WW benefit is calculated on the basis of your average daily wage in the last 36 months. This average is determined by your lowest and highest income in that period. For local assistance in Leiden: **Legal Aid Office Leiden, Stationsweg 46**.
Help in Leiden: Where to Go?
- UWV: For application and calculation of WW benefit.
- Legal Aid Office Leiden: Free advice, Stationsweg 46, Leiden.
- District Court of The Hague, Leiden Location: In case of objection or appeal.