RVA / ONEM letter explained in English
Unemployment office. The national employment office. It decides on unemployment benefits. The money is usually paid by your union or by the HVW / CAPAC.
Letters you may get
- Beslissing / décision — whether you get unemployment benefits, or a sanction
- Terugvordering / récupération — benefits paid too much
- Oproeping / convocation — an interview at the RVA / ONEM office
What to do
- You can appeal at the labour court within 3 months of the decision. Your union can help.
- Report changes like work, a move or a new household member quickly, to avoid having to pay money back.
- Find the deadline. Look for “termijn”, “uiterlijk op”, “délai”, “au plus tard le”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“bezwaarschrift”, “beroep”, “verzet”, “bezwaar”). See the template.
Words you may see
- terugvordering
- Request to pay back money you got but weren’t entitled to.
- indu
- Money paid to you by mistake that they want back.
Questions
What is the RVA / ONEM?
Unemployment office. The national employment office. It decides on unemployment benefits. The money is usually paid by your union or by the HVW / CAPAC.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the RVA / ONEM?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “termijn”, “uiterlijk op”, “délai”, “au plus tard le” — they mark the deadline. In Belgium, a letter sent by post is usually treated as received on the third working day after the date it was sent. Many deadlines, for example 6 months to object to a tax bill, start from that day. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“bezwaarschrift”, “beroep”, “verzet”, “bezwaar”).
Can I read a RVA / ONEM letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Dutch or French. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Belgium
FOD Financiën / SPF Finances · Vlaamse Belastingdienst / Brussel Fiscaliteit / SPW Fiscalité · Gemeente / Commune · OCMW / CPAS · VDAB / Actiris / Le Forem · Ziekenfonds / Mutualité · Groeipakket / Allocations familiales · Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken / Office des Étrangers