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Transition to Wage from Benefits

Transition from benefits to wage: retain benefits for 6 months alongside salary. Rules, bonus and pitfalls for a smooth switch.

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From benefits to work? The 'bridging arrangement' helps. For a full-time job, you retain 100% benefits alongside wage for 6 months (up to max. benefits level). After that, it stops. For part-time: pro rata retention. This encourages outflow; in 2024, a one-time €300 bonus applies for 6 months of work.

Participatiewet article 78 regulates this. Report work immediately; municipality adjusts benefit. Partner income is taken into account. After termination: reapplication possible upon job loss, with 4 weeks 'reconnection period' without asset check.

Advantages: no poverty trap. Municipalities offer job application training. Fine for not reporting: min. €546. Check via UWV work folder. 40% return within a year; build up a buffer. Combine with study cost reimbursement for retraining.