Requirements for benefits
To receive unemployment benefits, you must be registered at Arbetsförmedlingen, looking for and able to take a job. You must also have worked enough. If you have never worked, you cannot receive benefits.
You must have worked for at least 6 months
To qualify for benefits, you need to be registered with Arbetsförmedlingen and actively seeking work. You also need to have worked enough during the 12 months before becoming unemployed. This means you must meet one of the following work requirements:
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Worked at least 60 hours per month for six months.
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Worked a total of 420 hours over six consecutive months, with at least 40 hours per month.
If needed, we can count up to two months where you received a parental allowance or completed military service to help you meet a work requirement.
Has it been a while since you worked?
Sometimes we need to look further back in time to find enough months of work. We can do this if, for example, you were sick, on parental leave, or studying full-time before becoming unemployed. We can go back up to 60 months (a total of 5 years) to see if you have met a work requirement previously.
Other factors that can affect your right to benefits
If you are sick, on parental leave, or studying, it may affect whether you can receive unemployment benefits. Participating in a program through Arbetsförmedlingen, running your own business, or freelancing can also have an impact. Please contact us if any of this is relevant for you so we can help you further.
Common questions
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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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You do not have to become a member of Alfa-kassan to apply for benefits. If you are not a member of Alfa-kassan, or another unemployment insurance fund, you can apply for the basic benefits from us.
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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 can not receive unemployment benefits while getting a full-time activity grant from Försäkringskassan. However, if you receive an activity grant only part-time, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits for the remaining time, provided you are unemployed.
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No, joining Alfa-kassan does not automatically mean you’ve applied for benefits. You need to submit a separate benefit application through Mina sidor.