The Work and Welfare Act Wet Werk en Bijstand, WWB

The WWB entered into force on 1 January 2004, and replaced the National Assistance Act (Abw). In 2004, 337,600 people (cf. 16.3 million inhabitants Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek) were entitled to general assistance (2005 335,100 October 2006 307,500 August 2007 287,00)45 with a continuing trend of decline. The WWB has maintained the Abw approach of distinguishing between basic assistance (algemene bijstand Art. 19 WWB) and particular forms of assistance (bijzondere bj island Art. 35 WWB). The particular forms are granted in special situations where necessary expenses exceed general benefits. The municipality may refuse to pay bijzondere bijstand up to a retention of EUR 115 (Art. 35[2] WWB). 

Whereas particular assistance is individualised by nature, a prominent characteristic of the WWB is its application of the principle of individualisation (indi-vidualiseringsbeginsel Art. 18 WWB) as regards the personal scope or personal 

In the field of duties and sanctions, a threefold change (Willems-Dijkstra 2006) of concept underscores the notion of activating unemployed persons. 

46 For the figures as from July 2007 see Bekendmaking van 14 juni 2007, Herziening Bedragen WWB per 1 juli 2007, Stcrt. 2007,118. 

47 For people older than 65, the level corresponds to the benefits (net) under the Pension Act (Algemene Ouderdomswet) of 31 May 1956, Stb. 1956, 281. 

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An analysis of the accompanying reasons of the Act on Structure Implementation on Work and Income - SUWI (Parliamentary papers II2000-2001,27,588), the Work and Welfare act Wet Werk en Bijstand - WWB (Parliamentary papers II 2002-2003,28,870) and the disability act Wet werk en Inkomen naar Arbeidsvermogen -WIA Act (Parliamentary papers II 2004-2005, 30,034.) as well as the laws changing the Unemployment Act (particularly the law abolishing the followup benefit [December 2003], the Law of 30 March 20066 and the Wet wijziging... 

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