Unemployed

Lena Berg, social worker

If you are unemployed and also unavailable for work, your situation will depend on whether you are receiving unemployment benefit or cash benefit.

If you are receiving unemployment benefit, on the first day of your illness you must register yourself as being sick with your unemployment benefit office and the job centre. During your period of illness, you will receive sickness benefit from your local authority's social services department. You will be called to a follow-up interview with the benefit section of your local authority if your illness lasts for a long time. During this interview, they will assess the development of your illness and the options available for additional assistance. You can only receive sickness benefit for 52 weeks. This can be extended by a further 2 x 26 weeks.

The benefit period can be extended beyond 26 weeks from the start of the maximum duration limit if you are suffering from a serious illness which requires long-term treatment. It is a condition that you are assessed medically and that the conclusion of this assessment is that you will be able to resume gainful employment within the 26-week period.

If you receive cash benefit, you must register yourself as being sick with the cash benefit section of your local authority. Depending on your employment record, you will continue to receive cash benefit. Alternatively, you could switch to receiving sickness benefit.