Some things that are good to know

Information on your rights and obligations when applying for unemployment benefits

This pamphlet provides information about the rights andobligations of job seekers and applying for unemployment benefits. If you are unsure, further information is available at www.vinnumalastofnun.is or by contacting the nearest Vinnumálastofnun service centre.

Qualifying for unemployment benefitsEmployees and self-employed individuals aged 18-70 are entitled to receiveunemployment benefits providing that they have earned insurance cover andmeet the conditions of the Unemployment Insurance Act and the LabourMarket Measures Act. These include the following:

The applicant must be:

• Unemployed.

• Domiciled and residing in Iceland.

• Actively seeking employment.

• Fit for work.

• Prepared to take any job.

Benefit entitlementThe benefit amount you receive will depend on your entitlement, whichdepends on your job proportion over the past few years. For example, if youhave worked full time for a whole year, you will be entitled to full benefits.With less earned entitlement, the amount you receive will be lower.You must have been employed in at least a 25% capacity for 3 months during the past 12 months to recieve minimum benefits entitlement. For further details, see www.vinnumalastofnun.is/atvinnuleysisbaetur

You must confirm you job search each monthTo receive unemployment benefits, you must be actively seeking employment. Between the 20th and the 25th day of the month, you must reconfirmthat you are in fact searching for employment. You can do this through “Mínar Síður” on the www.vinnumalastofnun.is website, or by calling the nearest Vinnumálastofnun service centre and presenting valid identification.

You must confirm your job search even if:• Your application has not been confirmed.

• You are in a waiting period.

• You are serving an apprenticeship.

• You are taking part in a program organised by Vinnumálastofnun (excluding programs involving paid employment).

Unemployment benefits are always paid outon the first working day of each monthThe pay-period is from the first to the last day of each month. E.g. payment for the 1st of January to 31st of January is made on the first working day in February.

If you are unsure – contact us and ask!

Remember to confirm your job search between20th - 25th every month

Working while receiving unemployment benefits• When you find employment, it must be reported to Vinnumálastofnun

before you start working. Should you find occasional, short-term work, or regular part-time work, you must submit a statement of your wages through “Mínar Síður” on the Vinnumálastofnun website.

• You may not pursue work as a self-employed individual while recieving unemployment benefits. If you accept work as a contractor, you must remove your name from the unemployment registry while you are engaged in a project.

• All changes in your employment status must be reported to Vinnumálastofnun.

Overseas travel and working abroad• If you travel abroad, you must inform Vinnumálastofnun prior to departure.

• You will not be entitled to recieve unemployment benefits abroad unless you have been issued with a U2 certificate authorising you to search for employment in the European Economic Area.

• If you do intend to search for employment abroad, we recommend visiting www.eures.is and consulting a EURES advisor at Vinnumálastofnun.

Requests for interviews, meetings and other events• You are obliged to attend interviews and meetings.

• You are obliged to attend courses and other events which you may be requested to attend.

• You are obliged to attend job interviews.

You must report all changes, such as:• Change of address, telephone number or e-mail. These changes must be

reported to a service centre and on “Mínar Síður”.

• Any changes which may effect your job search and benefit payments, e.g. if you find work, start or finish a course of studies, take maternity/paternity leave, illness, change in income, etc.

• For further information, visit www.vinnumalastofnun.is

Loss of entitlementMake sure you understand the rules and your obligations as a job seeker. Ifyou break the rules or fail to comply with them, you risk losing your right to benefit payments for a period of time. This will happen, for example, in the following cases;

• If you refuse to take part in remedial measures (courses, etc.).

• If you travel abroad without informing Vinnumálastofnun in advance.

• If you are pursuing a non pre-approved course of studies.

• If you do not meet the attendance requirements in remedial measures.

• If you resign from your current employment.

• If you cannot be contacted.

Visit http://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/atvinnuleysisbaetur/bidtimi-og-vidurlogfor more information about waiting periods and penalites

If you are unsure – contact us and ask!

Have you visited

www.vinnumalastofnun.is

Remember to confirm your job search between20th - 25th every month

Good to knowOn the Vinnumálastofnun website, www.vinnumalastofnun.is, you can find information about jobs available through Vinnumálastofnun nationwide, as well as useful hints and tips for seeking employment, preparing a good CV, etc.

The staff at Vinnumálastofnun are available:

• To accept documents (employer´s certificates, tax cards, etc.).

• To provide information on your rights and obligations while you are seeking employment.

• To assist you with your job search and provide your details to potential employers.

• To provide information about labour market measures such as job-related contracts (vocational training, etc.), councelling, courses, study grants, apprenticeships,assistance with preparing your CV, etc.

• The Payment Office provides answers to your questions regarding payment ofunemployment benefits.

VMS (Directorate of Labour) service centres:

Payment office (Greiðslustofa)Túnbraut 1-3, 545 SkagaströndTel.: 582 4900Fax: 4554201E-mail: greidslustofa@vmst.is

Metropolitan area:Kringlunni 1, 103 Reykjavík.Tel.: 515 -4800Fax: 511-2520E-mail: vinnumalastofnun@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun á VesturlandiStillholt 18, 2.hæð, 300 AkranesTel.: 430-5300Fax: 430-5301E-mail: vesturland@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun á VestfjörðumÁrnagötu 2 – 4, 400 ÍsafjörðurTel.: 512-7790Fax: 534-7791E-mail: vestfirdir@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun Norðurlandi vestraTúnbraut 1 – 3, 545 SkagaströndTel.: 455-4200Fax: 455-4201E-mail: nordurland.vestra@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun á Norðurlandi eystraSkipagata 14, 600 AkureyriTel.: 460-5100Fax: 462-2100E-mail: nordurland.eystra@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun á AusturlandiMiðás 1, 700 EgilsstaðirTel.: 512-8280Fax: 471-2287E-mail: austurland@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun SuðurlandiAusturvegur 56, 800 SelfossTel.: 512-7780Fax: 571-0790E-mail: sudurland@vmst.is

Vinnumálastofnun SuðurnesjumKrossmói 4a - 2. hæð, 260 ReykjanesbærTel.: 421-8400Fax: 421-8405E-mail: sudurnes@vmst.is

You can book an appointment with a VMST counsellor at your service centre to help with your job search.If you are not sure – contact us and ask!

www.vinnumalastofnun.is

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