After terminating the labor contract, we can apply for unemployment benefits. However, what documents do we need and how to apply for unemployment benefits?

Before discussing the procedure on receiving unemployment benefits, you can refer to the following articles to learn about the conditions to receive unemployment benefits:

• Conditions, levels and duration of unemployment benefit receipt
• Can I receive unemployment benefits if I get fired or laid off?
• If I do not submit for unemployment benefit receipt within 3 months, will I lose it?
• Is it possible to authorize another person to submit for unemployment benefits?
• During the probationary period, can I receive unemployment benefits?

Dossier for receipt of unemployment benefits

According to Article 16 Decree 28/2015/NĐ-CP, we need to prepare a following dossier for receipt of unemployment benefits:

• Unemployment benefit form set by the Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (you can download it here).
• The original or certified true copy of one of the following documents:
  • The labor contract or working contract has expired or the work has been completed under the labor contract,
  • Resignation decision,
  • Layoff decision,
  • Dismissal decision,
  • Notice or agreement on termination of labor contract or working contract,
  • Employer's certification, which contains specific information about employee; type of labor contract signed; the reason and the time of terminating the labor contract with the employee,
  • Certification of competent state agency on dissolution or bankruptcy of the enterprise or cooperative, or decision on dismissal of the enterprise manager or cooperative manager.
• Social insurance book.
• In addition, we need to prepare a copy of ID card and household registration book (with the original for comparison) when submitting for unemployment benefits.

Where to apply for unemployment benefits

To receive unemployment benefits, you must submit a dossier for receipt of unemployment benefits to an employment service center. If you have questions about authorizing someone else to submit for unemployment benefits, please refer to the article: "Is it possible to authorize someone else to apply for unemployment benefits?"

strong>Deadline to submit for unemployment benefits

According to Article 17 Decree 28/2015/ND-CP, the employee must submit a dossier for receipt of unemployment benefits within 03 months from the date of termination of the labor contract or working contract. You can refer to the article: “If I do not submit for receipt of unemployment benefits within 3 months, will I lose my unemployment benefits?”

Procedure on submitting for unemployment benefits

Step 1: Submit a dossier for unemployment benefits.

• We prepare a dossier according to the instructions above. Deadline for submission is within 03 months from the date of termination of the labor contract or working contract.

Step 2: Handle dossiers for unemployment insurance benefits.

• The Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs issue a decision on unemployment benefit receipt. The deadline is within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the submission.
• Time to receive unemployment benefits is within 15 working days from the date of receipt of complete submission.

Step 3: Receive unemployment benefits

• The first payment of unemployment benefits is within 05 working days from the date of the decision on unemployment benefit receipt.
• The following payments of unemployment benefits are within 05 working days from the 7th day of the month of unemployment benefit receipt.

Step 4: Monthly notify job search.

• We must notify the employment service center where unemployment benefits are received about the monthly job search. You should note that if you do not give notice to search for a job every month and for 3 consecutive months, you will be terminated from receiving unemployment benefits under Article 53 Employment Law 2013.