Unemployment benefits
Returning to unemployment benefits
The period of benefits for an individual is 30 months.
That means an individual may be on unemployment benefits for a maximum of 30 months, or two and a half years. If an individual reapplies for unemployment benefits within 30 months, they are still in the same benefit period.
30 months
The 30-month benefit period is not extended, even if:
an applicant has to wait for the first payment of benefits,
payments are suspended,
benefits are paid in a percentage less than 100 %,
an individual goes through a short illness. Other rules apply if a person becomes unable to work due to illness or an accident.
Re-applying
Applying again for unemployment benefits is done through My pages just as when applying for the first time.
Returning to the same benefit period
If an individual applies for unemployment benefits and has previously been on the unemployment register, the same 30 month period of benefits may be valid.
In that case, the right to unemployment benefits does not cover a full 30 months.
How can I see the status of my benefit period?
The payment slips from the Directorate of Labour, published on My pages, show the status of benefit periods. The information is at the bottom of the document.
Right to a new period of benefits
The right to a new period of benefits may apply subject to these conditions:
Previous 30-month period completed
A person who has previously been registered and completed a period of 30 months.
Last payment of benefits was two years ago.
The applicant must have worked on the Icelandic labour market for at least 6 months since last receiving unemployment benefits, in a job percentage of 25% or more.
Example: A person who received unemployment benefits for one year but then worked for two years afterwards has earned a new 30-month period of benefits.
Previous 30 month period not completed
A person who reapplies for unemployment benefits and has previously been registered and has not completed a 30-month period.
The last payment of benefits must have been made within 24 months.
The applicant must have worked on the Icelandic labour market for at least 24 months since the last unemployment benefit was paid, in a job percentage of 25% or more.
The period of time an individual is employed and is deregistered from the unemployment register is not considered part of the period of benefits.
Requesting justification
An individual who has received unemployment benefits may request a re-calculation.
The new period of employment and the part of the older period are then taken into account, which is sufficient to make a total of twelve months.
Conditions
To have worked continuously for more than three months before applying again for the same period of benefits.
To request a reassessment, a request must be submitted. For example, the request can be written in Word and uploaded to My pages. A letter with a conclusion will be published on My pages once the document has been reviewed.
Service provider
Directorate of Labour