Income support system to be reformed
Published:
A person who receives income support will be obliged to participate in activities during time not spent, for example, on applying for work or studying. The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government’s proposal on participation in activities as a condition for receiving income support.
The purpose is, for example, to prevent social exclusion and to make use of labour. The requirement will apply to individuals who have received income support for at least three consecutive months.
The Government’s proposal includes a number of exceptions when the activity requirement will not apply, for example, for those under 18 years, those who receive sickness benefits, or those who are on parental leave with a child under the age of one.
The amendments will come into force on 1 July 2026.
Committee report (In Swedish):
Krav på att delta i aktiviteter för att få försörjningsstöd (SoU29)
A benefit ceiling will be introduced with the purpose of stopping dependence on benefits and reducing social exclusion. The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government’s proposal for a reformed income support system.
The benefit ceiling consists of several part-proposals:
- a modernisation of the national standard level;
- a limitation of income support to larger households;
- limited scope for municipal social welfare committees to grant income support at levels exceeding the national standard.
The proposal also means that:
- those with reduced work capacity owing to illness will be obliged to show a medical certificate in order to receive income support;
- a person who is renting a sublet home will only receive income support for housing costs if the sublet has been approved;
- income support will only be granted to people with a legal right to reside in Sweden.
The purpose of the proposal is to encourage more people to go from income support to employment.
The amendments regarding the obligation to show a medical certificate will come into force on 1 July 2026. The other amendments will come into force on 1 January 2027.