Activity support and development allowance

When you are looking for work and taking part in one of our programmes, you can receive benefit from Försäkringskassan for that period. The benefit you receive is called activity support or development allowance.

How do I receive benefit?

Once you have been enrolled in one of our programmes, you apply for benefit from Försäkringskassan (Swedish Social Insurance Agency). You apply for one month at a time in arrears. The easiest way is to apply is on Försäkringskassan’s website. There, you will find more information about how to apply and when the benefit will be paid out to you.

Apply for benefit from Försäkringskassan (forsakringskassan.se)

How much money do I receive?

When you take part in a programme, you will receive a fixed amount per day for maximum five days a week. You can apply for benefit for each day you take part in your programme.

Your compensation per day depends on factors such as your age and whether or not you meet the conditions for unemployment benefits from an unemployment insurance fund. If you have a compensation period from unemployment insurance, days with activity support are deducted from that period.

You can read about how much money you will get on the Swedish Social Insurance Agency’s website.

If you are taking part in a programme (forsakringskassan.se)

When is the money paid?

You apply for compensation with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) after each month that you have participated in the programme. The money is paid afterwards.

You apply between the 1st and 7th of the month and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency pays the money on the 26th of that same month.

If you apply after the 7th, your compensation will be paid the 26th of the following month at the earliest. If you do not apply before the month is over, you are at risk of going without compensation for the month before.

Apply for compensation from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (forsakringskassan.se)

What do I need to do to keep my compensation?

To not risk losing your compensation, it is important that you look for work and accept the opportunities you are given so that you do not prolong your unemployment. For example, this means that you need to adhere to the plan you have with us and participate in meetings and other activities you have agreed with us. If you receive support from our suppliers, you also need to adhere to the plan you have with them.

You must actively be seeking a job, unless stated otherwise in your action plan. You must also submit an activity report to us between the 1st and 14th of each month.

It is important that you are aware of all applicable conditions and how your compensation may be affected if you neglect your job-seeking or prolong your unemployment.

Conditions for your compensation in programmes

You need to inform us if you get ill or are looking after a sick child and cannot participate in your programme. If you need time off you must first get this approved by us.

If you get sick

If you are looking after a sick child

Yes, you can receive parental benefit when participating in a programme. In that case, your compensation is reduced by the amount you receive in parental benefit. The calculation is made by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

If you participate in a programme (forsakringskassan.se)

Questions and answers

What happens if I fall sick?

If you become ill, it is important you report this to us on the very first day you are ill. Otherwise you may lose your benefit for the days when you are ill.

If you fall sick

What happens if my child falls sick?

If you need to stay at home to take care of children who have fallen sick, it is important that you contact us on the very first day.

If you take care of a sick child

What do I do if I need time off?

If you need time off, you must first get consent from us. Only Arbetsförmedlingen can approve time off, not an organiser.

Can I work at the same time as I am taking part in a programme and receiving benefit?

Yes, you can work while you are taking part in a programme. But your benefit will then be reduced by the amount that you are paid in wages. It is Försäkringskassan that makes that calculation.

Remember to notify Arbetsförmedlingen if you get a job.

Can I receive parental allowance at the same time as I receive benefit?

Yes, you can receive parental allowance while you are taking part in a programme but your benefit will then be reduced by the amount you are receiving in parental allowance. That calculation is made by Försäkringskassan.

If you are taking part in a programme (forsakringskassan.se)

May I keep my income insurance when I participate in a programme?

Different forms of insurance may have different conditions. Contact your union or the insurance company that provides your income insurance in order to determine what applies when you participate in a programme with Arbetsförmedlingen.

If you are taking part in the introduction programme

If you are taking part in the introduction programme, you can receive introduction benefit and possibly also a housing supplement or establishment supplement. Read about what benefit you are entitled to.

Introduction benefit