More than 500,000 people are off work long-term due to sickness in Belgium. Over half of this group has been declared unfit for work until retirement. However, some cases may be reviewed, De Tijd reported.
At the end of 2023, 526,507 people were on long-term sick leave, meaning they had been deemed unfit for work for more than a year. This marked a new record. The total cost of the benefits they receive is more than €9 billion.
Looking at figures from the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI/RIZIV), De Tijd found that 55% or 289,397 long-term sick people receive such benefits until they retire. This decision is made when there is "no improvement or progress in the health of the patient."
While one-third are over 60 and close to retirement, almost 16% are under 50. Another third suffers from mental illness, such as depression or burnout. An equivalent proportion have muscular, joint or nerve problems.
Helping able people
To ensure people who are still able to work are not "written off" until retirement, the rule was changed from 1 July 2024. This stated that people can now only be declared unfit for work for a maximum of one, three or five years, depending on the type of illness.
Only people with very specific and serious conditions such as dementia, paralysis or advanced cancer can be deemed "permanently incapacitated for work." In other exceptional cases, at least one doctor and a paramedic or a second doctor must verify the situation.
"Our labour market, the accessibility of jobs, the resources and also medical science are evolving," said Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit). "People who might not have had the prospect of possible work ten years ago may now have that again. Above all, we want to help people who are still able to work to return to work."
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Health insurance funds are therefore inviting some people who were declared permanently unfit for work before the reform, but who might not be under the new regulations, to undergo a reassessment. An annual sample of specific files, such as people with a condition that is not on the list, or younger than 40 and with a psychological disorder, will also be reviewed.
Faced with such a situation, the De Wever government has also included several measures in its coalition agreement, including tightening checks.
