Unemployment allowance – application

General information

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

Affected

Unemployed persons

Requirements

In principle, a person is entitled to unemployment benefits if she/he is available to the employment agency, has fulfilled the qualifying period and has not yet exhausted the period for which she/he is entitled to benefits.

Anyone who can and may take up employment and is capable of working, willing to work and unemployed is available to the employment agency.

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

Deadlines

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

Anyone who has submitted an application for unemployment allowance via the eAMS account before their unemployment commences need only attend the regional office in person no later than ten days after electronic submission of the application.

Notifying the AMS on time ensures not only that the application for unemployment allowance is compliant with the regulations, but can also ensure that gaps in pension and health insurance can be avoided.

Competent authority

The competent authority will be the competent regional office of the AMS (→ AMS)^{German text}. This will usually be the office closest to where you live.

Procedure

Applications can be submitted personally at the regional office of the employment service or online via the eAMS-account. If the application is submitted electronically, you must appear in person at the regional office within 10 days of electronic transmission. The AMS may waive the requirement to appear in person, particularly in the case of compelling reasons such as taking up employment or illness. 

After the application has been checked by the AMS, if the conditions are met, unemployment allowance is awarded and notification is sent, which in particular details the start date, end date and amount of the entitlement to unemployment allowance.

Required documents

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.

Costs and fees

There are no charges payable.

Further information

Further Links

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

Legal basis

Unemployment insurance act (AlVG)

Link to form

eAMS-Konto^{German text}

Authentication and signature

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

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

Means of redress or appeal

If you do not agree with the benefit awarded, you have the right within three months of receipt of notice to demand a decision regarding your entitlement to benefits. If no demand is made for a decision regarding your entitlement to benefits is received within three months of receipt of notice, this is considered decisive circumstances not subject to further legal recourse.

If the application is rejected, the unemployed person will be provided with a decision. Complaints against decisions of the regional offices can be filed within four weeks. The regional office may make a preliminary complaint decision within ten weeks. If the regional office does not issue a preliminary complaint decision or if a referral to the Federal Administrative Court is requested within two weeks, the Federal Administrative Court shall decide.

Assistance and problem-solving services

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