Difference between the Wmo and the Wlz, and other care laws

If you are looking for care or support for yourself or a loved one, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Often the question is whether help at home is appropriate, or whether more intensive care is needed. The difference between the Wmo and the Wlz then helps you make the first choice.

Which care law fits my care request?

In the Netherlands, care is divided across four laws. Each law has its own point of contact and its own rules. The Wmo is about help to continue participating at home. Think of household help or guidance. You arrange this through your municipality.

The Wlz is for heavy, ongoing care with a lot of supervision. Access goes through the CIZ. The Zvw pays for medical care, such as district nursing at home, through your health insurer. The Youth Act arranges help for children up to 18 years old, also through the municipality.

Sometimes these laws overlap. In that case, independent client support can help for free. They will help you look for the right point of contact.

When does help fall under the Wmo?

This can include household help, guidance, aids, or home adaptations. Practical informal-care support can also fall under the Wmo.

In Zoetermeer, you request this through the municipality. For an aid, you submit a Wmo report. Home adaptations follow the same route. Together, you then look at what is needed.

With a Wmo report, you can add a personal plan. That is not required. The municipality assesses the report and, if necessary, speaks with you at home or by phone. After that, you receive an assessment report to check.

For aids or home adaptations, an own contribution via the CAK often applies. For help for you or your loved one through the Wmo, the application goes through the municipal Wmo application route.

When does help fall under the Wlz or Zvw?

For aids, it works differently too. Aids for medical care at home go through your health insurer. If your loved one lives in an institution with Wlz care, the care office arranges many aids.

When does help for a child fall under the Youth Act?

In Zoetermeer, help for a child under 18 with a disability or illness goes through Meerpunt, the centre for youth and family in Zoetermeer.

This concerns help and guidance that supports a child in daily life. For some forms of guidance, you pay an own contribution. The amount is listed at the CAK.

What do you do if you are unsure or get stuck?

If you are unsure which care law applies, that is not unusual. The laws sometimes overlap. You can then ask for independent explanation. This is also possible for questions about aids or the transition from hospital to home.

Discuss what care need you have and where the process is getting stuck. An employee will think along with you about the appropriate care law and help you on your way to the responsible organisation. That is support in finding the route, not a promise that care will be assigned.

If you do not know which arrangement applies to you, you can also call Mantelzorg Zoetermeer or contact the Wmo desk of your municipality. Independent client support can think along with you free of charge.

What is the next step in Zoetermeer?

Start by making clear what help is needed. Then look at the right route. For social support, go to the municipality. For nursing and care at home, go to the district nurse. For ongoing intensive Wlz care, go to the CIZ.

Zoetermeerwijzer is the local social map for care, welfare, housing, money, and informal care. You can use it to search for advice, practical help, respite care, activities, and organisations. Because providers and contact details can change, this up-to-date map is more suitable than a fixed list.

At inZet and with independent client support, they think along with you for free about what fits. Practical help for you or your loved one through the Wmo is requested via the municipal Wmo application route.