現在人手不足の中で、ハローワークやネット、雑誌などで求人情報が豊富になっています。会社を辞めることは一般的になり、その理由も様々です。退職の際、失業給付の受給期間や条件について解説があります。特に、特定受給資格者と特定理由資格者の違いや、受給期間の延長方法、失業手当の回数制限などが説明されています。失業手当は、求職者を支援する制度であり、失業した際に適切に利用するための情報が提供されています。
In today’s era of labor shortage, job information is overflowing not only at Hello Work but also on the internet and in magazines. With the low barriers to changing jobs today, leaving a company has become quite common. The reasons for resigning vary. Not everyone who leaves a job does so for reasons like changing jobs or further education. Some people are forced to resign due to the company’s poor performance or layoffs.
Furthermore, some people find it difficult to continue working due to illnesses, childbirth, or childcare, and end up resigning. This time, human resources and labor consultant Keiko Oda, who supports workers as a “social insurance labor consultant,” will explain the differences in unemployment benefits based on reasons for leaving the job.
Is the period of receiving unemployment benefits different between voluntary and involuntary resignations?
Can the receiving period be extended?
How many times can you receive unemployment benefits?
Summary
Is the period of receiving unemployment benefits different between voluntary and involuntary resignations?
The period for receiving unemployment benefits varies depending on the reason for resignation and the period during which the insured person was enrolled. To receive unemployment benefits, you must submit a separation notice to Hello Work and apply for job hunting. Once the eligibility is determined, eligible recipients are divided based on the reason for separation into “individuals facing difficulties in finding jobs due to disabilities,” “specified eligible recipients,” “specified reason eligible recipients,” and other non-eligible recipients. Who do these “specified eligible recipients” refer to?
“Specified eligible recipients” include individuals who were forced to resign due to company reasons, such as lack of time. This includes cases where the company goes bankrupt, the employment contract is not renewed after working continuously for over three years, or resigning due to violations of laws, unpaid wages, excessive overtime work, or harassment from superiors or colleagues. There are also other detailed criteria, but Hello Work will make the determination as to whether one is a specified eligible recipient or not.
“Specified reason eligible recipients” include individuals who retired or resigned for valid reasons before three years of the employment contract ended. Valid reasons for resignation include illness, decline in health, pregnancy, childbirth, family care, or spouse’s job transfer that make it necessary to resign. There are many examples that fall under this category, and the determination is left to Hello Work.
In the case of those who are considered company reasons for separation, specified eligible recipients receive more generous unemployment benefits. The number of benefit days is determined based on age at separation and the insured period. For separations between the ages of 45 and under 60 with an insured period of 10 to less than 20 years, the benefit is 270 days. For insured periods of 20 years or more, the benefit is 330 days.
On the other hand, for general voluntary resignees under the age of 65, there is no age difference in the specified benefit days, and the benefit is 120 days for insured periods of 10 years or more and 150 days for insured periods of 20 years or more. Additionally, specified eligible recipients can start receiving benefits immediately after applying for a job through Hello Work and waiting for a 7-day waiting period, while voluntary resignees have a benefit period restriction of 2 to 3 months after the waiting period.
For specified reason eligible recipients, the benefit period is the same as voluntary resignees for the most part, but there is no benefit restriction after the 7-day waiting period. As unemployment benefits prioritize those who are involuntarily unemployed, it is important to recognize that the conditions are stricter for voluntary resignees.
Can the receiving period be extended?
The period during which unemployment benefits can be received is predetermined. While the specific number of benefit days varies, the standard receiving period is one year from the day of separation. However, there are cases where the benefit days exceed 300 days for individuals facing difficulties in finding jobs due to disabilities or specified eligible recipients. In such cases, the extended period is added to one year based on the specific benefit days.
In general, it is important to remember that the receiving period is one year. Therefore, even if there are remaining benefit days, benefits are not typically provided once one year has passed since the day of separation. As such, it is important to complete the procedures at Hello Work as soon as possible. Some individuals may find it difficult to receive unemployment benefits within one year, especially if they have resigned due to illness, injury, pregnancy, or childbirth and are unable to work immediately. What happens in such cases?
If there are special circumstances preventing job hunting, such as the individual’s illness, pregnancy, childbirth, family care, etc., the receiving period can be extended by the period during which the individual is unable to work (up to a maximum of three years). Additionally, individuals over 60 who retire at the standard retirement age may wish to take a break before searching for a new job. In such cases, by completing procedures at Hello Work, the receiving period can be extended for up to one additional year in addition to the standard one-year period.
How many times can you receive unemployment benefits?
After receiving unemployment benefits and subsequently finding a job, it is not guaranteed that one will stay in that job for a long time. There are individuals who resign and change jobs again. Can unemployment benefits be received multiple times? The answer is yes. There is no limit on the number of times unemployment benefits can be received. However, it is practically difficult to receive benefits multiple times within a short period due to eligibility requirements.
Receiving unemployment benefits resets the insured period. To receive unemployment benefits again, one generally needs to have at least 12 months of insured period within a two-year period. If an individual resigns due to personal reasons, they are subject to a 7-day waiting period and a benefit restriction period of 2 months after the waiting period, even if they apply to Hello Work immediately. For individuals who resign three or more times within five years, the benefit restriction period becomes 3 months from the third resignation onwards.
However, as long as the eligibility requirements are met, one can receive unemployment benefits multiple times. The basic requirement for unemployment to be certified is to be “in a state where one can work at any time and actively engage in job hunting,” so it is important to keep this in mind.
Summary
Employment insurance jobseeker benefits, commonly known as unemployment benefits, vary in the number of benefit days depending on the reason for separation, but there is no limit on the number of times one can apply. Unemployment benefits are designed to support job hunting activities for individuals who have lost their jobs. When searching for a new job, it is important to understand the system and use it appropriately.
● Written by / Keiko Oda
Social insurance labor consultant. After graduating from university, she worked in the general affairs department of a chain restaurant headquarters and a construction consulting company’s management department before establishing the “Keiko Oda Social Insurance Labor Consultant Office” in 2022. Currently, she works as a human resources and labor consultant supporting companies and also conducts activities as a “social insurance labor consultant supporting workers” by providing consultations on pensions and life plans and harassment training. Her hobbies include appreciating art.
● Composition / Kyoto Media Line •