Unemployment allowance – application

Applications for unemployment allowance can only be made by coming in person or online through the MeinAMS.

Unemployed persons

In principle, anyone who is available to the employment service, has fulfilled the eligibility requirements and has not yet exhausted the benefit period is entitled to unemployment benefit.

Anyone who is able and permitted to take up employment and is fit for work, willing to work and unemployed is available to the employment service.

For more information, see: Arbeitslosengeld – Allgemeines und Anspruch^{German Text}

No later than on day one of unemployment (or in certain cases no later than on the next business day).

It is possible to apply for unemployment benefits via MeinAMS even before becoming unemployed.

Timely registration with the AMS not only ensures that unemployment benefits are applied for in accordance with the regulations, but also prevents gaps in pension and health insurance coverage.

The competent authority will be the competent regional office of the AMS (AMS)^{German text}. This is usually the regional office for your place of residence.

Applications are primarily submitted online via MeinAMS. It ist still possible to submit an application in person at the regional AMS office.

If all requirements are met, unemployment benefit will be granted and a notification will be sent, which will include, in particular, the start and end dates and the amount of the unemployment benefit entitlement.

You need to submit different documents depending on your individual situation. For details in this regard, enquire to the competent regional office of the AMS.

There are no costs involved.

Further Links

• Unemployment benefits (AMS)^{German Text}
• AMS-offices (AMS)^{German Text}
• MeinAMS for jobseeker (AMS)^{German Text}
• Health insurance (AMS)^{German Text}

Unemployment insurance act (AlVG)

MeinAMS^{German text}

In person: Report to the competent regional office of the AMS

Electronically: Report using your MeinAMS^{German text} (you can request login details on your MeinAMS, over the phone, by sending an e-mail to the regional AMS office, or via FinanzOnline (BMF)^{German text}).

If the applicant does not agree with the benefit awarded, a decision on entitlement to benefits may be requested within three months of delivery of the notification. If no decision on entitlement to benefits is requested within three months of delivery of the notification, the matter is considered settled and is not subject to further legal proceedings.

If the application for unemployment benefit is rejected, the unemployed person will be sent a decision. Appeals against decisions made by the regional offices can be lodged within four weeks. The regional office can make a preliminary decision on the appeal within 10 weeks. If the regional office does not make a preliminary decision on the appeal or if a referral to the Federal Administrative Court is requested within two weeks, the Federal Administrative Court must decide.

The AMS provides ombudsman services in each of Austria's provinces