Available for Work in Den Haag

Available for work is an essential requirement for a WW benefit, particularly for job seekers in Den Haag. This means you must be able to start a job immediately, actively apply for positions, and be open to suitable work that aligns with your skills, health, and personal circumstances. In Den Haag's dynamic job market, with abundant opportunities at government bodies and international organizations, failing to meet this requirement could put your UWV benefit at risk.

Legal Basis

The rules on available for work are laid down in the Unemployment Act (WW), primarily Article 13 WW. A jobseeker is considered available if they are immediately employable for work matching their capacity for work. The suitability zone is elaborated in Article 13, subsections 2 and 3 WW: during the initial phase (first two months), a broader zone applies (up to 10% lower pay and hours), followed by stricter criteria (maximum 5% lower). For Den Haag residents with roles at the District Court of Den Haag or Municipality of Den Haag, this is vital during retraining.

The Participation Act governs social assistance benefits, but WW benefits are regulated by the WW. The UWV verifies compliance at application and during reviews. Breaches may result in sanctions, such as a wage sanction of 50% to 100% (Article 28 WW). Disputes can be brought before the District Court of Den Haag.

What Does Available for Work Mean in Den Haag?

Be immediately employable: no unannounced vacations, and flexible with hours and locations, taking into account Den Haag's public transport network. Actively job hunting is crucial: meet UWV requirements, typically 4 applications per month via local portals. Suitable work follows the suitability zone:

First 2 months of WW: jobs with max. 10% lower salary and hours, within reasonable commuting time (up to 3 hours, e.g., from Den Haag CS to Rotterdam).
Thereafter: max. 5% lower, tailored to qualifications and experience, ideal for Den Haag sectors like law and diplomacy.

Running a side business in Den Haag? That's allowed, as long as paid employment takes priority. Students or retirees have additional guidelines.

Suitability Zone in Table

Period	Income Reduction	Hours Reduction	Travel Distance
First 2 months	Max. 10%	Max. 10%	Reasonable (up to 3 hours, Den Haag region)
After 2 months	Max. 5%	No reduction	Reasonable (Den Haag region)
After 1 year WW	No zone, all work	All work	All work

Practical Examples from Den Haag

Example 1: Jan from Scheveningen, 45, former manager at Municipality of Den Haag (€4,000 salary). In the first two months, he applies for €3,600+ roles. He must accept an assistant position (€3,500); later, minimum €3,800.

Example 2: Marie, pregnant and living in the city center, wants part-time work. UWV makes adjustments; maternity leave is fine, but availability must resume promptly afterward.

Example 3: Tom has a freelance gig in Den Haag city center alongside WW. He must prioritize paid employment and apply weekly, or risk losing his benefit.

Exceptions in Practice

Sometimes you may be temporarily less available:

Illness: Report to UWV for possible sickness benefits (Sickness Benefits).
Care leave: Up to 6 weeks per year via UWV.
Study: Only if job hunting continues.
Vacation: Max. 4 weeks/year with UWV approval, e.g., to Scheveningen.

Rights and Obligations for Den Haag Residents

Rights:

UWV intake and employment plan (AVP).
Appeal within 4 weeks, possibly to District Court of Den Haag.
Support from local reintegration services.

Obligations:

Log job search activities in UWV IKK portal.
Keep proof of applications (job ID, responses).
Report changes, such as moving within Den Haag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I be available full-time in Den Haag?

No, part-time is fine if it fits the zone, but be prepared to expand.

What if I refuse a job offer?

Sanction: 50% cut in month 1, 100% in month 2; repeats extended.

Combining WW with side income?

Yes, up to 87.5% of former salary; above 52% of daily wage, no WW day.

Illness during WW?

Report to UWV immediately; sickness benefits possible, WW paused for 104 weeks.

Tips for Den Haag

Avoid issues:

Document everything: Save applications and UWV letters.
UWV portal: Update weekly.
Seek help: Reintegration coach or WW application.
Legal advice: For sanctions, visit Legal Aid Office Den Haag for free consultations.
Local networking: LinkedIn, agencies, job fairs at Municipality of Den Haag Work Plaza.

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