As of 1 July 2019, the self-employed will no longer have to wait before they can receive sickness benefits for incapacity periods exceeding seven days, the National Institute for Sickness Insurance Disability (INAMI) announced.
Previously, independent workers had to wait one month during which they could not get work before they received any disability benefits, which meant that many continued to work even if they were in no physical condition to do so. Beginning 2018, this waiting period was reduced to 14 days.
Beginning 1 July 2019, the waiting period will be completely removed for incapacity periods exceeding seven days.
This means that a self-employed who cannot work for at least seven days due to illness or an accident can receive sick pay as of the first day they stop working. The period of declaration of work disability will also be reduced to seven days.
The Brussels Times
