When you are incapacitated for work
Are you incapacitated for work for less than one year? We refer to this as ‘primary incapacity for work’. If you are incapacitated for work for over one year, you receive invalidity status and will receive invalidity benefits. Do you want to go on holiday, work part-time, do voluntary work or take a training course? Be sure to check your rights and obligations.
On this page
Primary incapacity for work and invalidity
During the first year of incapacity for work, you will receive the primary incapacity benefit. From the second year onwards, you will be granted 'invalidity status' and will receive an invalidity benefit. Invalidity is a term used to designate 'long-term incapacity for work' and has nothing to do with an impairment or disability.
Extensions and relapse
Anextension is when you have been off work longer than the end date shown on your incapacity-for-work certificate. When you return to work, but become incapacitated for work again, this is referred to as a relapse. See what you need to do to arrange an extension or manage your relapse.
Medical assessment
If you are receiving incapacity benefits, you may be contacted for a medical assessment. In this kind of medical assessment, the health insurance fund’s medical officer monitors your incapacity for work. You cannot refuse a medical assessment.
Doing volunteer work
Do you want to do unpaid work or volunteer work when you are incapacitated for work? If so, make a request to do so from the health insurance fund's medical officer in good time.
Partial return to work
Are you incapacitated for work but want to resume work on a part-time basis? You can! Find out what you need to arrange.
Taking a training course
Are you no longer able to practice your current profession due to your illness or injury? Then you might be interested in retraining during your incapacity for work. Find out about the possibilities.
Going on holiday
Do you want to go on holiday when you are incapacitated for work? You can! However, do not forget to notify the medical officer of your health insurance fund in time.
Holiday certificate
Are you employed or unemployed and have received a holiday certificate? The health insurance fund may not pay replacement income for an outstanding balance of holidays. That is why we need you to provide us with your completed holiday certificate.
Tax return
Both primary incapacity benefit and invalidity benefit payments are a replacement income. You have to declare these in your annual tax return.
Fixed sum for third-party assistance
Are you incapacitated for work and need help from others? Then you may be entitled to the additional benefit for 'third-party assistance'. This is an fixed sum in addition to your standard benefit.
Fixed sum for third-party assistance
Are you incapacitated and need help from others? Then you may be entitled to the additional fixed sum 'for third-party assistance'. How do you apply for third-party assistance? Who is eligible for third-party assistance? And how does it work with your tax return?
Read more about 'incapacity for work'
Would you like to know more about your rights and obligations when you first become incapacitated for work? Or what to be aware of when you return to work? We would be happy to help you.
Track and manage your benefit file on My Helan
- initiating your benefit file
- track your benefit payments
- add documents to your benefit file digitally
- request holidays, return to work, voluntary work
- and so much more!
Helan Independent Health Insurance Fund is the insurance agent (n° CDZ 5006c) for ‘MLOZ Insurance’, the VMOB of Independent Health Insurance Funds, (Register of Legal Entities in Brussels, 422.189.629, recognised under no. CDZ 750/01 for branches 2 and 18). View the data sheet and the General Terms and Conditions. Belgian law applies to the insurance contract. The term of the contract is whole life. In the event of any complaint, contact the complaints department of Helan Health Insurance Fund or the insurance ombudsman. For more information about purchasing this/these product(s), please contact Helan Health Insurance Fund. Helan Onafhankelijk ziekenfonds, Boomsesteenweg 5, 2610 Wilrijk, 0411.696.011, RPR Antwerpen, www.helan.be.