See something different, put your feet up, climb mountains or enjoy the sun on the beach: vacation is known to be the best time of the year. Anyone who is employed has a legal right to take time off. But what about people who are unemployed and receive unemployment benefit (ALG 1)?
By the way: Not everyone who loses their job can claim unemployment benefits. However, anyone who meets the requirements will receive 60 or 67 percent of their previous net salary as an insurance benefit from the Federal Employment Agency – up to a certain maximum rate. However, the money is not paid permanently, but only for a certain period of time. Anyone who quits their job themselves and thereby deliberately causes the insured event with unemployment insurance can be subject to a waiting period.
Unemployment benefit: Are you allowed to go on vacation?
According to the Federal Employment Agency, anyone receiving unemployment benefit is not entitled to vacation like employees are entitled to. The term is not “known” in unemployment insurance law. Nevertheless, vacation is not excluded and is certainly possible. However, unemployed people must first report their so-called “absence from the area” and obtain approval from the employment agency. If the trip is not approved, unemployment benefit can be stopped and the associated insurance cover is no longer available. This also applies if unemployed people do not report back in person on the day of their return.
You can apply for leave online, by phone or in person at the relevant employment agency. You will only be entitled to unemployment benefit during your leave if the agency agrees.
According to the Federal Employment Agency, it is important to note that although the employment agency can approve an absence of up to six weeks at a time, unemployment benefits will only continue to be paid for three weeks. Anyone who is away from home for longer than six weeks will no longer receive unemployment benefits from the first day of their vacation and will have to register as unemployed again upon their return.
By the way: Even if you receive citizen’s allowance, you can’t just go on holiday. You have to apply for the absence. In some federal states, however, the costs of the holiday are even reimbursed.
When must vacation be reported to the employment agency?
According to the Federal Employment Agency, the most important goal when receiving unemployment benefits is that those affected can find a new job or continue their education. This also takes priority when it comes to wanting a vacation or time off. For this reason, the application for absence from the area can be submitted earlier, but a response is usually only expected one to two weeks before the planned travel date. The reason for this is that job offers may be made available at very short notice.
Can vacation be refused if you are receiving unemployment benefits?
Because possible job offers or further training are more important for unemployment benefits than a vacation, the application for absence from the area may not be approved. In that case, those affected must stay at home. According to the Federal Employment Agency, a vacation application is normally only rejected if there are indications that job offers, important consultation appointments, further training or, for example, application training are coming up in the meantime.
So: Anyone who receives unemployment benefit and is likely to be able to find a job or receive support soon will probably not receive approval for a holiday from the employment agency.
