When is one considered unemployed after studies?
If one does not have a job after completing studies, one is considered unemployed if the studies are:
Completed: The education has been finished and there are no concrete plans for further studies.
Definitely discontinued: The education has been dropped and there are no concrete plans to complete or start new studies.
If the studies are neither completed nor discontinued, it is considered that one is still studying and therefore not entitled to compensation from the unemployment insurance fund.
The qualification period can be extended – here’s how it works
To receive compensation from, one must meet an income requirement within the qualification period. If one has studied full-time, it is possible to disregard the same number of months as the study period, but no more than 60 months. To receive the highest possible compensation, it is important to remain a member during the study period.
The qualification period
The qualification period begins the month before you register with Arbetsförmedlingen and apply for unemployment compensation. It extends a total of 12 months back in time. If there are months during that period where you earned less than SEK 11,000 and were unable to work due to, for example, illness, care of a sick child or full-time studies, the qualification period can be extended.
Compensation after studies
All months in which one has earned at least 11,000 kronor gross are counted when assessing the income requirement – including summer jobs and part-time jobs. However, if one earned more before the study period, we can disregard months with lower income during studies in order to calculate based on the earlier employment. During the processing, we choose the option that provides the highest compensation.
Example
Robert has studied full-time for three years. Each summer, he worked and earned 15,000 kronor per month. Before his studies, he earned 30,000 kronor per month. Robert was a member of a-kassa before his studies and has remained a member throughout the study period. When applying for compensation, it is more advantageous for him to calculate based on the work he did before his studies rather than the income from his summer jobs.
No compensation during study breaks
One cannot receive a-kassa during any type of study break, as studies must be completed in order to be considered unemployed. It does not matter whether the break is long or short, or whether it is, for example, a summer holiday or an interruption under one’s own control.
Part-time studies cannot extend the qualification period
If one has studied part-time, the qualification period cannot be extended.
Studies during unemployment
When unemployed, one may in certain cases be allowed to study full-time for fifteen days or up to 20 weeks at a maximum study pace of 50 percent. It is important to apply to a-kassa before starting the studies in order to receive a decision. If the study pace is too high or if the studies are, for example, continued education, one is not entitled to any compensation at all.
Compensation level is determined by membership duration
It is wise to remain a member throughout the entire study period, as the compensation level from a-kassa depends on how long one has been a member. To receive the highest compensation level, 80 percent, 12 months of membership are required, and one must also have been a member during the entire qualification period.