De Unie, in your interest

How is the amount of my unemployment benefit calculated?

In connection with future expenses, it is important to know the amount of your unemployment benefit. That is why it is good to know how the amount of this benefit is calculated. The amount of your unemployment benefit is calculated on the basis of your earned social security wages - your social security wages.

The amount of your unemployment benefit is calculated based on your earned SV wage. For this purpose, the SV wage that you earned on average in a period of 12 months before you became unemployed is taken into account. This 'reference period' determines your daily wage. This daily wage can never be higher than the statutory maximum daily wage. As of January 1, 2024, the maximum daily wage is € 274,44. The first 2 months your unemployment benefit is 75% of your daily wage. The following months of your unemployment benefit you will receive 70% of your daily wage.

A number of starting points are used when calculating the amount of your unemployment benefit. These points include the following:

  • Your partner's income has no influence on your unemployment benefit;
  • The unemployment benefit does not depend on your assets;
  • The unemployment benefit is subject to a maximum (the maximum daily wage);
  • Under certain conditions, unemployment benefit supplements a lower income.

If your total (family) income is below the social minimum (applicable to you), you can probably receive a supplement. You must apply for this allowance at the UWV.