Changed rules when you participate in a program at Arbetsförmedlingen
On 1 June, the rules will change for you when you take part in one of the programmes at Arbetsförmedlingen. If you do not participate in your programme, you may lose compensation immediately.
Stricter rules for programme participants from 1 June
The Government has made the decision to tighten the rules from 1 June for people enrolled in programmes with Arbetsförmedlingen. The rules are being changed to encourage more people to apply for education and participate in their programme, as this increases their chances of finding a job.
The changed rules mean that you may temporarily lose compensation as early as the first time you are absent from your programme. You may also lose compensation immediately if you do not apply for a education course that we have encouraged you to apply for. Under the current rules, you may first receive a warning.
Unauthorised absence may affect your compensation immediately
If you do not participate in your programme and Arbetsförmedlingen assess that there is no valid reason for your absence, you may be suspended from compensation for 5, 10 or 45 days.
Arbetsförmedlingen always investigates why you did not attend. If your absence may affect your compensation, we will contact you before making a decision. You will then have the opportunity to explain why you were absent.
Terms for your compensation in the program (uppdated with new rules on June 1)
New information for those who have been asked to apply for education
If your action plan includes a mandatory activity to enrol in Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) or apply for education with a municipality, folk high school, vocational college or university college and you do not do so, you risk losing your compensation immediately. You may then be without compensation for 5, 10 or 45 days.
This change applies to education courses for which you must have applied by 1 June or later.
Always inform us if you are unable to attend
It is important that you take part in all the activities included in your programme. If you are unable to take part in an activity, you must inform Arbetsförmedlingen and the person organising the activity, such as your supervisor or teacher.
You cannot normally take time off when you are in a program but there are some exceptions.
When you are participating in a program
If you are ill or are providing care for a sick child
If you are ill or at home with a sick child and cannot take part in your programme, you must inform the Swedish Public Employment Service on the very first day.
Ersättning – så funkar det när jag deltar i program
När du har fått ett beslut och ska delta i något av Arbetsförmedlingens program behöver du själv ansöka om ersättning hos Försäkringskassan.
How your compensation may be affected
From 1 June, you may be suspended from compensation for the first time if you are absent without a valid reason or if you do not apply for an education that we have encouraged you to apply for. The number of benefit days you will be suspended depends on whether you have previously been suspended for extending your period of unemployment:
- first time: 5 days
- second time: 10 days
- third time and each time after that: 45 days
