Benefits based on income
You can receive a maximum of 1,200 kronor per day before tax in benefits from the unemployment insurance fund (a-kassa), which amounts to approximately 26,400 kronor per month. This applies if you have been a member for at least 12 months and earned 33,000 kronor or more.
First 2 days: 0 kronor (mandatory waiting period)
Days 1–100: max 1,200 kronor (80% of income)
Days 101–200: max 1,000 kronor (80% of income)
Days 201–300: max 1,000 kronor (70% of income)
This applies to income-based benefits:
Been a member of an unemployment insurance fund for at least 12 months.
During the membership period, fulfilled the work requirement, meaning worked at least 60 hours per calendar month for at least 6 months.
All work must be verified by your employer using the employer certificate form.
Average income
The benefits are based on the average monthly income over the past year. If you have received sickness benefit, parental benefit, or temporary parental benefit, it can be included if you also worked at least 40 hours in the month the benefit refers to. We always calculate an average over 12 months, even if you worked for a shorter time.
Benefits per day
(average income / 22) × 0.8
Example: Sara has an average income of 24,000 kronor. Her daily benefit is then 873 kronor before tax. (24,000 / 22) × 0.8 = 873 kronor.
Additional income insurance through the union
The benefits from the union’s additional income insurance are based on our decision regarding benefits, but we at the unemployment insurance fund neither decide on nor pay out the additional income insurance. The amount and application process vary between unions. If you have resigned and been disqualified from benefits, the additional income insurance usually does not apply.
Read more about additional income insurance here
Average working hours
The average working hours are always calculated over 12 full months. The average working hours matter if you combine work and benefits. If you are unemployed full-time, you receive 5 days per week.
Basic benefits
If you have been a member of the unemployment insurance fund for less than 12 months, you may receive basic benefits of up to 510 kronor before tax if you worked full-time during the past year.
If, for example, you worked an average of 20 hours, you receive half of the maximum amount, i.e., 255 kronor before tax.
The average working hours are always calculated over 12 months, even if you worked for a shorter time.
Maximum benefit is 510 kronor per day before tax.
First 2 days: 0 kronor (mandatory waiting period)
Days 1–300: max 510 kronor before tax – if you worked full-time
Increase in income
Every year we adjust the average income so that unemployed individuals also follow wage development. This happens automatically in December for everyone receiving benefits.
If you work and therefore have a break of at least 25 weeks in your unemployment, you may also increase your average income. The average is calculated over 12 months and must be higher in both income and working hours for us to increase it. If you already have an average working time of 40 hours, you cannot increase the income level.
Benefits for those who have run their own business
Three ways to calculate
You verify your working hours yourself when applying for benefits. The income we base the benefits on depends on what is most beneficial for you, and we may need information from the Swedish Tax Agency and sometimes from an employer. If you wish, we can retrieve income information from the Tax Agency.
We always choose the most favorable option for you:
Most recently taxed income. Benefits are based on the most recently taxed income from the business. This is shown in the latest final tax decision.
Average of several years. Benefits are based on an average of the taxed incomes from business activities in the two years preceding the year of the most recently taxed income.
Income from previous employment. If the business has been your main occupation for less than 24 months directly after employment where the work requirement was met, the income is based on previous employment, the so-called 24-month rule. In this case, we need an employer certificate, which you request in Mina sidor.
We need your income information
When you apply for benefits, you receive a power of attorney in your To-do list in Mina sidor. You print it and send it to the Swedish Tax Agency, and they will provide your income information to us.
You can also download and submit an extract from the tax register from the Swedish Tax Agency yourself. It is important that you select “Full” when asked about the scope of the information. You can find this in Mina sidor at the Tax Agency.