Hi

My husband unemployment benefits will be coming to an end in a few months time and with the state of world economics as it is, I am concerned that he will find emplyment before his benefits run out.

Does anyone know what happens, is there any possiblity of extentions to the 400 day limit? Are there benefits (social security) he can claim from else-where? I have full-time employment and we don't have any children, would this nullify any benefits?

We have been in Switzerland 8 years. He is a non-EU "B" permit holder, I on the other hand am an EU "C" permit holder - I presume this in itself means he will be able to stay in Switzerland but does anyone know what his options are?

Thanks for your help
Nats

__________________
-----------------------------
"The more sure I am that I'm right, the more likely I will actually be mistaken. My need to be right makes it more likely that I will be wrong. Likewise, the more sure I am that I am mistreated, the more likely I am to miss ways that I am mistreating others."

What does your husband do, maybe somebody could help out here

In marriage and partnerships, a person only qualifies for social welfare if his and his partner's combined wealth is below a certain limit. I don't know the exact amount but it's in the region of 6'000-8'000 Fr.

If possible, I suggest that your husband widens his job search or qualifications to neighboring fields. He may also ask the local employment bureau for some ideas about his situation. Sometimes they are really helpful, other times not so much.

A interesting side point. Found out today that you can continue to claim and be paid unemployment benefit for 90 days after leaving Switzerland if the country you are going to is an EU one (and of course you have 90 of your 400 days left). If you think your problem is in part not being able to speak the local lingo, then this might be an good option.
Note income support is means tested on your declared "wealth" not income as I understand it. So if you have any assets, like a nice car or even a house then you may be required to sell those before receiving anything.

A quick update on my question a while back.

For a couple with no dependants, the thresh-hold for social benefits is joint income of less than Chf 45'000.

social welfare?? MY FRIEND is a apprentice and takes like 600chf per month,and live with his mother,but anyway his mother dont count in their financial spaces.so they can ask for social welfare seeing that his wife is just arrived and she never worked here,so she cant ask for things like unia to give her money she can ask only for find a job.soso for help him,a social welfare until he finish the school and his wife find a job,can be a good idea.oh and dont worry that hes not using his mom or something like this,just he taked this responsability the wife also(semm like a romantic story)so until he finish school and her find a job they can live like this.and of course they settle all with the family,(i say this just for dont hear bad things about him,im not saying that u will sy that but just for prevent).

oh and thanks for these information.(too nathu too)

Don't forget to use the Thanks button!

We used this rule when we went back to the UK after our first children were born. My partner received 80% of her Swiss salary in the UK, but she had to attend the UK job centre and it is paid through the UK system. After the three months is up, you can also choose to stay in your EU country or return to Switzerland. We did this to give her a longer maternity leave!!

For obtaining social welfare, there is both an income ceiling and a wealth ceiling. It is intended for those who are really desperate. Able bodied recipients may be directed to do menial municipal jobs.

This is true. About 8 years ago, I was refused Unemployment benefit (I had been working outside of CH for over 18 months and my contributions were 1 month too little to qualify for RAV)

The social security people found me work with the refuge collection department for about 5 months. (60 percent work)

They calculated a family budget for about 5200 chf (my wife, myself and my stepson)

My wife was earning 1800 chf in a part time job, and the money we earned was deducted from this budget and we received the extra top up.

Once I found a job back in IT we had to repay all the money we were given. Better system than in the UK in my opinion.


It was not as bad as it sounds. The job was hard work and really cold over Winter, but the people I worked with were very friendly and at the end of it, I was very fit and positive - but glad to get back to my "normal" work.