Unemployment benefit in 2021: amount and procedure for registration

The minimum and maximum amounts of unemployment benefits are presented in Table 1. They are valid for all citizens recognized as unemployed in the prescribed manner.

Table 1. For everyone except pre-retirees.

For unemployed citizens of pre-retirement age, the values ​​are different; see them in Table 2.

Table 2. For pre-retirement people.

For 2021, the values ​​are determined by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 31, 2021 No. 2393. For 2021 - by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of November 7, 2021 No. 1426, which retained the values ​​of the previous year. However, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated March 27, 2020 No. 346, adopted in the spring of 2021, increased the maximum amount of the benefit. For 2021 - by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of November 15, 2021 No. 1375.

The amount of unemployment benefits, as well as the procedure for its calculation and payment, are regulated by the Law of the Russian Federation “On Employment” and other regulations.

What kind of benefit is this?

Citizens temporarily left without income are entitled to regular cash payments from the state.
And although the amount currently paid at the labor exchange for unemployment does not exceed the minimum wage, this money is still a help for families. To receive them, you need to contact the employment center (PEC). Functions of such centers:

• providing interested parties with up-to-date information about vacancies;
• referral of those wishing to undergo vocational training or retraining;
• assistance in employment of citizens; registration of unemployment benefits.

IMPORTANT! Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the procedure for registering and applying for unemployment benefits has changed. Government Decree No. 460 dated 04/08/2020 approved temporary (until December 31, 2021) rules for registering citizens as unemployed and making social payments to them. Please check with your regional center for specifics on obtaining status.

After you prepare and submit a package of documents, you will be assigned unemployed status.
Then the central payment center will calculate how much to pay based on various factors. If a person does not have a job, but he has not contacted the CZN specialists to register, he will not receive any benefits.
In addition, he will not be provided with information about available jobs at enterprises and firms, information about which is available in the employment center.

Submitting additional information

I changed my strategy and decided to break into my personal account on the CZN website at night in the hope that there would be fewer visitors at this time. And at three o'clock on the night of April 15-16, I actually managed to enter. I saw my application, which I sent on the third day, and it showed the status “Completed”! There was also a document with vacancies that suited me. The vacancies did not suit me in terms of technical parameters (for example, I had to work in specific programs that I had never even heard of).

Interestingly, the document indicated the name of the employee who was supposed to work with me. But he didn’t contact me in any way.

Then I noticed that I had not attached my passport to the documents. I didn’t know how critical this was, but just in case I decided to send it, the site has such a function.

On forums where receiving benefits was discussed, people wrote that they also attached bank card details to transfer funds to them. So I added this information and waited again.

All changes made were added to my first appeal dated April 3.

The next day I called the central control center again for clarification and spoke with a different operator. She asked me to leave my phone number. I provided her with all the information and told her what recommendations her colleague gave me when I called for the first time (do not log in through State Services, but try to register on the Central Sign Up website, get a code, and so on). The operator replied that the site was not working correctly, so I did not receive the necessary letters, but received erroneous ones that do not need to be paid attention to, and assured me that they would contact me as soon as possible.

I waited another 5 days for a call from them - until April 22, but I never received it and called again myself. There I again explained my situation in detail. The new operator clarified my application number, and the next day I finally received a call from the assigned supervisor from the district employment department of the Central Employment Center. But it was too early to rejoice.

Legal regulation

The rules and procedure for payment of benefits are specified in the Federal Law of April 19, 1991 No. 1032-1 “On Employment in the Russian Federation” (as amended on March 7, 2018), and several government decrees.
But not all people are in a hurry to visit the center. There is an opinion that only low-paid vacancies are offered there. And if you look at what unemployment benefits are paid at the labor exchange in 2021, it is not worth bothering with paperwork.

On March 30, 2020, Government Decree No. 346 of March 27, 2020 came into force, which fixed the new amount of unemployment benefits. In 2021 it will be:

• the minimum benefit amount is 1,500 rubles;
• the maximum value reaches 12,130 rubles.

It is difficult to survive on such a modest monthly payment, but these amounts are in any case quite high compared to last year. Until 2021, the amount of payments has not changed for 10 years.

IMPORTANT! In connection with the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the authorities have taken a number of measures to support citizens and businesses, including an increase in unemployment benefits. In the period from May to October 2021, the minimum payments will be 4,500 rubles, and the maximum will remain at the level of the federal minimum wage (12,130 rubles).

The maximum amounts are due to those who, during the 12 months preceding dismissal, had a total paid work experience of at least 26 calendar weeks on a full-time or weekly basis. In the new Government Decree dated 10.06. 2021 No. 844 clarifies who else is entitled to payments of 12,130 rubles for unemployment - individual entrepreneurs who, due to quarantine, stopped their business activities and registered as unemployed.

Calculation table

From the table below it is clear how to calculate the amount of the benefit.

Unemployed people in 2021 can receive social assistance of at least 1,500 rubles and no more than 12,130 rubles. For people of pre-retirement age, the maximum amount of payments has been raised to 12,130 rubles. The increase can be made at the expense of the regional coefficient and surcharges adopted by local authorities. Violation of the procedures for receiving benefits established by the Central Employment Center may lead to a reduction and termination of cash payments.

Who will receive the benefit?

In 2021, unemployment benefits are paid to citizens:

• who have officially received the status of unemployed, that is, registered in the prescribed manner;
• those who worked at least 26 weeks over the past year, that is, the 2019 calendar year. Having a job is one of the main conditions for how to receive 12,000 in unemployment from the state for several months;
• whose former employer, before dismissing employees, diligently paid insurance contributions for them;
• who are able to work and have no contraindications to work;
• and most importantly, those who are actually looking for work.

Some categories of citizens cannot be registered as unemployed:

• persons undergoing military service; full-time students;
• minors and old-age pensioners;
• convicted citizens and sentenced to correctional labor, imprisonment;
• citizens who do not have the necessary documents for registration.

If the benefit is assigned until 2021

New rules apply for benefits awarded last year. The government has “updated” benefit limits from January 1, 2021, but much depends on the length of time you have been in unemployed status.

If the first 3 months expired on December 31, 2021, in January the benefit will be reduced to 5,000 rubles - no matter how offensive it is, the amount is less than the “pre-pandemic” time. Those who apply in January 2021 receive the “full” 12,130 rubles (although only for 3 months, then the benefit is reduced).

How and where to arrange everything

To start receiving money, a citizen applies to the territorial central payment center at his place of residence.
Until December 31, applicants are allowed to submit documents online instead of going in person. Through the State portal, unemployment benefits will be assigned and paid according to general rules. The registration procedure involves collecting the following documents (Article 3, Clause 2 of the Federal Law of April 19, 1991 No. 1032-1):

• completed application;
• general passport or other identification document;
• certificate, diploma of education or other document confirming the applicant’s qualifications;
• work book indicating the last place of work and the reason for dismissal;
• certificate of average earnings for the previous three months from the last job. It is important that this document is filled out correctly, without errors or blots. If an accountant fills out a certificate improperly, it will simply not be accepted;
• individual rehabilitation program for a disabled person (for persons with disabilities).

Listing on the stock exchange

In order to register with the central registration center in Moscow and other Russian cities, a citizen must complete the following steps:

1. Collect documents and submit to the service with an accompanying application.
2. TsZN specialists are studying the provided documents. They are examined for inconsistencies and errors. They study the grounds for assigning the status of an unemployed person (SBL).
3. Within 11 days, CZN specialists must make a decision on assigning status or indicate the reason for refusal.
4. In case of assignment of SBL, a benefit is assigned. At the same time, the citizen is obliged to continue searching for a new job based on his existing education and professional skills. Upon official employment, the status will be removed and payments will cease.
5. In case of refusal to assign an SBL, the citizen will be explained what is wrong in the documents submitted to him. If this can be corrected, then the subject has the right to re-apply to the central control center after correction after one calendar month. Then he will go through all the stages again.

The citizen provides the following documents to the exchange specialists:

• passport;
• SNILS;
• diplomas, certificates or other documents confirming education and professional skills;
• work book, if it has already been created;
• For previously employed persons, a salary certificate for the previous 3 months.

The following requirements are imposed on citizens who have been assigned SBL:

1. On certain dates established by the CZN employee, the citizen is required to appear and confirm his status. Such appearances must occur at least 2 times a month. If this requirement is repeatedly violated, the subject’s BL status will be removed and benefit payments will be terminated.
2. After a CZN employee finds a suitable vacancy for a BL, he is obliged to approach the employer at his place of work within 3 days from the date of notification by the exchange for an interview.

The following methods of punishment are applied to those persons who violate the rules established by the labor exchange:

• temporary suspension of benefit payments for up to 3 months;
• complete deprivation of the right to material payments;
• reduction in benefit amount by 25%.

The employment service has the right to apply such measures not only in case of no-show, but also when a person repeatedly refuses jobs offered to him. But at the same time, it is important to pay attention to what place is offered to the applicant. It is unacceptable to oblige a teacher to take the position of a librarian or an accountant to take the position of a janitor without the consent of the citizen.

Help for determining the amount of unemployment benefits

For a student who has just graduated from an educational institution, it is enough to provide a passport and a certificate or diploma of education. Along with the originals of the above documents, take their copies with you.

The center commission accepts the necessary papers for consideration. If the Central Employment Service makes a positive decision on the application and recognizes the citizen as unemployed, he is assigned a benefit. For those who are interested in how many days unemployment benefits are paid after registration, we answer: the first money will be transferred to you in the month following the month you received unemployed status.

The second stage of the procedure is to come to the central control center with your passport on the appointed day. If for any reason you miss an appointment, the applicant will not be registered. And he will not be awarded unemployment benefits in 2021.

How much, how and when they pay

The benefit amount in 2021 depends on the following conditions:

• availability of work during the year before registering with the Labor Center;
• the amount of official (white) salary at the last place of work;
• reasons for dismissal;
• duration of unemployment.

Moreover, in addition, the algorithm for calculating unemployment benefits at the employment center in 2021 also takes into account the period during which the payment is calculated. The basis for the calculations is the average salary that was paid before registration with the Labor Center, calculated over three working months:

• in the first three months 75% of this average is issued;
• in the next three months - 60%.

How to calculate average earnings

Average earnings depend on the working regime and are determined in accordance with paragraphs 7 or 8 of the Resolution.

For the standard version with a daily working week, the formula is used (clause 7):

SZ = SDZ × SMD, where

• SZ - average earnings
• SDZ - average daily earnings. This parameter is calculated by dividing the amount of wages actually accrued for the billing period by the number of days actually worked during this period.
• SMD is the average monthly number of working days in the billing period. This is the number of working days in the billing period according to the organization’s schedule, divided by 3. We round it to the nearest hundredth. For example, the MMI for the billing period April-June 2021 for a 40-hour work week will be equal to 20.67 = (22 + 19 + 21) / 3.

If the time is not fully worked, the average daily earnings are calculated by dividing the amount of actually accrued wages by the number of working days according to the calendar of a 5-day (6-day) working week falling on the time worked in the billing period.

For the summarized accounting of working time, the average hourly earnings are used (p. and it is calculated according to the formula:

SZ = SCHZ × SMC, where

• SCHZ - average hourly earnings. This parameter is calculated by dividing the amount of actual salary in the billing period by the number of hours worked in the period.
• SMC is the average monthly number of working hours in the billing period, depending on the established length of the working week. We calculate this: we divide the sum of working hours for 3 months (according to the organization’s schedule) by 3. For example, the SMC for the billing period April-June 2021 will be equal (if it corresponds to the production calendar): 164.67 = (175 + 152 + 167) / 3 with a 40-hour work week;
• 148.13 = (157.4 + 136.8 + 150.2) / 3 with a 36-hour work week;
• 98.53 = (104.6 + 91.2 + 99.8) / 3, based on a 24-hour work week.

Termination of payments

In some cases, the payment of unemployment benefits is suspended or terminated at the initiative of the Labor Center.
Thus, simultaneously with deregistration as an unemployed person, they stop paying in the following cases: 1. Employment of a person.

2. Receiving vocational training in the direction of central planning, subject to payment of a scholarship.

3. Failure to appear at the central control center within one month in the absence of valid reasons.

4. Moving or relocating to another area.

5. If fraud or forgery is detected in order to receive benefits.

6. Imprisonment.

7. Assignment of pension.

8. Refusal to mediate with the employment service on the basis of a written application.

9. Death.

Payment of unemployment benefits is not made during the periods:

• maternity leave;
• if the unemployed person temporarily left their place of permanent residence due to training;
• conscription for military service.

But the above periods are not included in the general period for payment of unemployment benefits and do not extend it.

Features of Belarusian unemployment

Features of unemployment in the Republic of Belarus are its gender nature. All citizens over 16 years of age are considered able to work in Belarus. The working age threshold for women is 55 years, and for men – 60 years. Anyone who does not have a job is considered unemployed.

At the same time, those who work part-time or are on forced leave are also included in the category of workers. All individual entrepreneurs are also considered employed. The amount of income or its complete absence does not matter; you will no longer be able to receive unemployment benefits.

In Belarus, mostly middle-aged men have jobs. Women officially have equal rights, but in terms of choice, priority is given to men. This gives rise to many problems in the social sphere, one of them is female alcoholism. It destroys the life of not only the woman, but also her children. Pregnancy often occurs with complications and the risks of congenital diseases are high. Young girls are increasingly becoming butterflies in order to somehow support themselves and their families.

Another global problem is youth unemployment. Both single people and those who have already started a family find themselves unemployed. This greatly undermines the atmosphere of prosperity. This state of affairs contributes to the growth of crime and social apathy among young people.

Elderly people also become victims of unemployment. If they lose their job, it is much more difficult for them to find a new job. The difficulties of learning and adapting to new conditions become a stumbling block.

In what cases is the payment of benefits temporarily suspended while maintaining status?

Law of the Russian Federation dated April 19, 1991 No. 1032-1 provides information on how unemployment benefits are paid at the employment center and for what reasons payments are suspended (see Article 35). It follows from it that they stop paying for a period of up to one month in the following cases:

• the unemployed person’s refusal of two job options offered to him that suits him;
• refusal, after one month of unemployed period, to participate in public works paid for by the state, or to be sent for training;
• the appearance of an unemployed person for re-registration while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (spice is also included here);
• dismissal from the last job due to violation of labor discipline, expulsion from an educational institution for guilty actions; violation by the unemployed of the conditions and terms of re-registration in the absence of valid reasons;
• termination of training in the direction of the employment service without permission.

In these cases, benefit payments are suspended, but this period is included in the total total period for calculating unemployment.
Sometimes the Employment Center decides to reduce the amount of unemployment benefits by 25% for up to one month. This is possible in the following cases:

• a person’s failure to appear without a good reason for employment negotiations with an employer within three days from the date of referral by the employment service;
• refusal without good reason to appear at the employment authorities to receive a referral to work or training.

Possible reasons for refusal

Payment of state benefits to the unemployed may be denied. There are several possible reasons for this:

• Termination of an open-ended employment contract at the initiative of the employee. If a person loses his job on his own initiative, he must bear responsibility for his decision.
• Dismissal from a previous job for failure to fulfill job duties specified in the employment contract.
• Dismissal for absenteeism. Absenteeism is considered absence from work without a valid reason for more than 3 hours.
• Dismissal for showing up to work drunk or using alcohol or drugs in the workplace.
• Theft of property of the employer, enterprise or other employees with an established court decision.
• Violation of safety rules that resulted in physical harm or death of another employee.
• Failure to submit an income statement to the tax service.

If the payments are refused, the unemployed can go back to the employment service with a letter.

The benefit can be awarded if the applicant agrees to work for the benefit of society for 22 days.