Apply for benefits
Follow our guide on how to apply for benefits and learn how much you can receive benefits and for how long.
Follow our guide
Use our step-by-step guide to receive a decision as quickly as possible, you can use our step-by-step guide. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Register at Arbetsförmedlingen
On your first day of unemployment, register at Arbetsförmedlingen. You can receive unemployment benefits at the earliest from the day you are registered.
Submit an application for benefits
You can apply for benefits through our online service, Mina sidor, and complete the form Ansökan om ersätning.
To qualify for benefits, you must have previously worked and meet the requirements for unemployment insurance. If you have never worked, you are not eligible for unemployment insurance.
Follow your to do-list
Once you have submitted your application, a to-do list is created on Mina sidor. This list outlines any additional tasks or documents you need to submit. You will receive a notification if new items are added.
Submit employer's certificate
We require an employer's certificate (arbetsgivarintyg) for each job you have held during the past 12 months. If you for example have been studying full-time or been on parental leave, we may need certificates for work further back in time.
Learn more about the employer's certificate at arbetsgivarintyg.nu
Submit your time reports
You can submit time reports on Mina sidor, detailing what you have done each week. We cannot make a decision about your benefit until you have submitted your first time report.
Check your contact details
You can verify your details on Mina sidor under Min profile and choose whether you want to receive notifications by email or SMS.
Wait for your decision
We will notify you when we have made a decision about your eligibility for benefits. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact us.
How much can I receive in benefits?
I have been a member for 12 months or more
You may qualify for benefits based on your income if you have been a member for 12 consecutive months or longer. Membership with another unemployment insurance fund can count toward the 12 months. To receive income-based benefits, you need to:
- be registered at Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for work and be ready to accept it.
- have met a work requirement during your time as a member.
How much can I receive in income-based benefits?
The amount you can receive depends on how many hours you have previously worked and your income. The maximum is 1,200 SEK per benefit day, but this decreases over time:
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Benefit days 1–100
Up to 80% of your previous income, capped at SEK 1,200 per benefit day. -
Benefit days 101–200
Up to 80% of your previous income, capped at SEK 1,000 per benefit day. -
Benefit days 201–300
Up to 70% of your previous income, capped at SEK 1,000 per benefit day. If you have children under 18, this level applies until day 450.
I have been a member for less than 12 months
You may qualify for basic benefits if you have been a member for less than 12 months. To qualify for basic benefits, you need to:
- be at least 20 years old.
- be registered with Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for, and ready to accept work.
- meet a work requirement.
How much can I receive in basic benefits?
The amount depends on how much you worked before becoming unemployed. You can receive a maximum of SEK 510 and a minimum of SEK 255 per benefit day.
I am not a member of Alfa-kassan
If you are not a member of Alfa-kassan or any other unemployment insurance fund, you can still apply for basic benefits from us. To qualify for basic benefits, you need to:
- be at least 20 years old.
- be registered at Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for work and be ready to accept work.
- meet a work requirement.
If you’re a member of another unemployment insurance fund, you must apply for benefits through them.
How much can I receive in benefits if I am not a member?
How much you can receive in benefits depends on how much you worked before you became unemployed. You can receive a maximum of SEK 510 and a minimum of SEK 255 per benefit day. Since you are not a member, you will pay an administration fee of SEK 7 per benefit day while receiving benefits from us.
Become a member
How long do I get unemployment benefits?
You can receive unemployment benefits during a benefit period of 300 benefit days, with a maximum of 5 days per week. Each period starts with 2 qualifying days, days for which you do not receive benefits. The qualifying days are not deducted from your 300 benefit days.
When your 300 days are up and you have children under 18, we will extend your benefit period by 150 days. We will do this automatically if you are unemployed and continue to submit your time reports.
If you do not have children under 18, we will check whether you have fulfilled a new work requirement so you can start a new benefit period. If you do not qualify for a new benefit period, contact Arbetsförmedlingen for further assistance.
Common questions about the benefits
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No, even if you’re a member of Alfa-kassan, you still need to meet certain conditions to qualify for benefits. You must be registered with Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for and able to take a job, and have worked enough before becoming unemployed.
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No, if you are a member of another unemployment insurance fund, you should apply for basic benefits through them. If you’re not a member of any other fund, you can apply for basic benefits through us.
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You cannot receive unemployment benefits if you participate in a full-time program through Arbetsförmedlingen. Instead, you should apply for an activity grant through Försäkringskassan. Contact Försäkringskassan for more information.
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Yes, benefits from an unemployment fund are both taxable and pensionable.