Unemployment Insurance: Filing Claims and Checking Status 2022

Unemployment benefits have become an increasingly important financial safety net during the current Covid-19 pandemic, especially for those who do not qualify for other forms of support. Join us as we explore and learn how to easily file for unemployment benefits over the phone!

1. Understanding Unemployment Insurance

What is Unemployment Insurance?

Unemployment Insurance is a social insurance program organized and managed by the state. It is a scheme designed to compensate for a portion of an employee’s lost income, and to support them in learning new skills, maintaining employment, and finding new jobs.

Understanding Unemployment Insurance

Participation Schemes for Unemployment Insurance

There are three schemes for participation in Unemployment Insurance, all of which are funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund:

• Training Support
• Subsidy Support
• Skill Enhancement Support

Benefit Amount and Duration for Unemployment Benefits

The monthly benefit amount for unemployment benefits will be equivalent to 60% of the average monthly salary of the last 6 months of employment, during which unemployment insurance contributions were made.

However, the maximum benefit amount is limited to 5 times the basic salary for employees in the public sector, as determined by the state. For employees in the private sector, where salaries are determined by the employer, the maximum benefit amount is limited to 5 times the regional minimum wage, as stipulated by the Labor Code.

Eligibility Criteria for Unemployment Benefits

Eligibility Criteria for Unemployment Benefits

According to Clause 1, Article 49 of the 2013 Labor Law, to be eligible for unemployment benefits, the following criteria must be met:

1. Termination of the labor contract or work contract, except in the following cases:

a) The employee unilaterally terminates the labor or work contract in violation of the law;

b) The employee is receiving a monthly pension or loss of working capacity allowance;

2. The employee has made unemployment insurance contributions for at least 12 months within the last 24 months prior to the termination of the labor or work contract, as per point a and point b of Clause 1, Article 43 of the Labor Law; or has made unemployment insurance contributions for at least 12 months within the last 36 months prior to the termination of the labor contract, as per point c of Clause 1, Article 43 of the Labor Law;

3. The employee has submitted the necessary documents to claim unemployment benefits at the local employment service center, as per Clause 1, Article 46 of the Labor Law;

4. The employee has been unable to find a new job within 15 days from the date of submitting the claim for unemployment benefits, except in the following cases:

a) Performance of military or police service;

b) Enrollment in a full-time educational program of at least 12 months’ duration;

c) Placement in a corrective or rehabilitative institution by a court order;

d) Detention, imprisonment, or other forms of criminal punishment;

e) Emigration or departure from the country for work;

f) Death.

Eligibility Criteria for Unemployment Benefits

2. Guide to Procedures for Applying for Unemployment Insurance

Guide to Procedures for Applying for Unemployment Insurance

According to Article 16 of Decree 28/2015/ND-CP issued by the Government, the following documents are required to apply for unemployment benefits:

1. Application for unemployment benefits, using the form prescribed by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

2. Original or certified copy of one of the following documents confirming the termination of the labor or work contract:

a) Labor or work contract that has expired or been completed;

b) Notice of dismissal;

c) Notice of termination;

d) Disciplinary decision for dismissal;

e) Mutual agreement or notice of termination of the labor or work contract.

In the case of employees participating in unemployment insurance as specified in Point c, Clause 1, Article 43 of the Labor Law, the document confirming the termination of the labor contract for seasonal work or for a fixed term of at least 3 months but less than 12 months must be the original or certified copy of that contract.

3. Social Insurance Booklet.

The social insurance agency is responsible for verifying the unemployment insurance contributions and returning the social insurance booklet to the employee within 5 working days from the date of receiving the request from the employer.

For employers that are agencies, units, or enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security, the social insurance agencies of these ministries shall verify the unemployment insurance contributions and return the social insurance booklet to the employee within 30 days from the date of receiving the request from the employer.

Guide to Procedures for Applying for Unemployment Insurance

According to Article 17 of Decree 28/2015/ND-CP, the following provisions govern the submission of applications for unemployment benefits:

1. Within 3 months from the date of termination of the labor or work contract, the unemployed person who has not found a new job and wishes to claim unemployment benefits must submit a complete set of application documents, as specified in Article 16 of this Decree, in person to the local employment service center where they intend to receive the benefits.

2. The unemployed person may authorize another person to submit the application or send it by postal service if they fall under any of the following cases:

a) Illness or maternity with confirmation from a competent medical authority;

b) Traffic accident with confirmation from the traffic police or a competent medical authority;

c) Fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, enemy attack, or epidemic with confirmation from the Chairman of the People’s Committee of the commune, ward, or town.

The date of application for unemployment benefits in the above cases shall be the date on which the authorized person submits the application in person or the date indicated on the postal service receipt in case of submission by postal service.

3. The employment service center is responsible for receiving and examining the application documents, issuing an appointment slip according to the form prescribed by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and either handing it directly to the applicant or sending it by postal service if the application was submitted by postal service. If the application is incomplete or does not comply with the provisions of Article 16 of this Decree, the center shall return the application to the applicant and clearly state the reason.

3. Guide to Procedures for Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Procedures for Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits Online

To register for unemployment benefits, follow these steps:

Step 1 Access the Social Insurance Public Service Portal

First, access the Social Insurance Public Service Portal.

Step 2 Log in

Next, click the Login button. If you don’t have an account, click the Register button and enter your account information using your Social Insurance ID (the last 10 digits of your health insurance card) and password (VssID). Then, click Login.

Login

Step 3 Select “File a Claim”

After logging in successfully, select “File a Claim” and look for the procedure “Support for unemployed participants affected by Covid-19 (No. 21)“. Then, click the “File a Claim” button.

Select “File a Claim”

Step 4 Fill in the Information

Fill in your information completely and check the number of months of unemployment insurance contributions to ensure accuracy.

Fill in the Information

In the section “I choose the form of support”, you can choose to receive the benefit in cash at the social insurance agency or through your personal bank account. If you choose the latter, enter your bank account number and select the bank branch.

Choose the form of support

Step 5 Confirm

Finally, enter the verification code received via text message and click “Confirm” to successfully submit your application.

Confirm

Procedures for Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Person

Procedures for Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Person

Step 1 Prepare the Documents

Within 3 months from the date of termination of the labor contract, if you have not found a new job and wish to claim unemployment insurance benefits, you must prepare a complete set of documents as mentioned above and submit them to the Local Job Introduction Center where you intend to receive the benefits.

Step 2 Processing Time:

• Within 15 working days from the date of submission of the application, if the unemployed person (UCP) has not found a job, the Job Introduction Center (JIC) shall process and confirm the application for unemployment benefits.
• Within 20 working days from the date of submission of the application, the JIC shall issue a decision on the approval of the payment of unemployment benefits, along with the social insurance booklet with confirmation of contribution, to the UCP.
• In case the UCP is not eligible for unemployment benefits, the JIC must notify them in writing and state the reason.
• The starting date for the calculation of unemployment benefits is the 16th day from the date of submission of the application.

Step 3 Receive the Benefit Payment

• Within 5 working days from the date of the decision approving the payment of unemployment benefits, the local social insurance agency shall make the first monthly benefit payment to the UCP, along with their health insurance card. The benefit amount is calculated as 60% of the average monthly salary of the last 6 months of employment during which unemployment insurance contributions were made.
• Every month, the social insurance agency shall make the benefit payment within 12 days from the date of entitlement to the benefit for that month, unless a decision to suspend or terminate the benefit has been issued for the UCP.

Step 4 Monthly Job Search Notification by the UCP

According to Clause 1, Article 19, Decree 28/2015/ND-CP, the UCP must notify the local employment service center about their job search efforts on a monthly basis, as per the schedule specified in the unemployment benefit decision.

4. Guide to Inquiry Procedures for Unemployment Insurance