Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana 2026

The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) by ESIC provides financial relief to insured individuals who have Read More... lost their jobs. Read less

Details

Losing a job can be stressful, but the Indian government offers support through schemes designed to help you during such tough times. One such initiative is the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY), introduced by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

What Is This Scheme?

The ABVKY scheme was launched by ESIC initially for a two-year period starting July 1, 2018. Its main goal is to offer financial assistance to 'Insured Persons' (IPs) who find themselves unemployed. This scheme provides a cash compensation to help them manage their expenses while they look for new employment.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically for those individuals who are covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act and have unfortunately become unemployed. It aims to provide a safety net for workers who contribute to the ESI fund and meet certain employment and contribution criteria.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In challenging economic times, job loss can put a significant strain on an individual's finances. The ABVKY scheme plays a crucial role by offering a partial replacement of income, helping insured persons meet their basic needs for up to 90 days. This support allows them to focus on finding new employment without the immediate pressure of severe financial hardship. It's a vital step in ensuring social security and well-being for the workforce.

Objective

The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) by ESIC provides financial relief to insured individuals who have lost their jobs.

Benefits

The scheme provides relief to the extent of 50% of the average per day earnings of employees during their last employment.
The relief amount to be paid up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment (once in a lifetime) subject to conditions that the employee should have completed two years of Insurable employment and has contributed not less than Seventy-Eight (78) days in each of the three consecutive contribution periods.
The IP will be eligible for Medical benefits as provided under the Act for the period he is availing this relief.

Note 01:The Insured Person should have been in insurable employment for a minimum period of two years immediately before his/her unemployment and should have contributed for not less than 78 days in the contribution period immediately preceding the unemployment and a minimum of 78 days in one of the remaining three contribution periods in two years prior to unemployment.

Note 02:Claim shall become due 30 days after the date of unemployment. Earlier this period was 90 days.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana, an Insured Person (IP) must meet the following conditions:

Must be unemployed at the time of claiming the relief.
Should have been in insurable employment for a minimum of two years.
Must have contributed for at least 78 days in each of the three contribution periods immediately preceding the claim.
Contributions must have been paid or payable by the employer.
The unemployment should not be a result of disciplinary action, misconduct, superannuation, or voluntary retirement.
The Aadhaar card and Bank Account of the Insured Person must be linked with their ESI database.

Note: All employees covered under the ESI Act are eligible for this scheme, and no separate registration is needed.

Important Considerations:

If an IP works for multiple employers and is covered under ESI, they will only be considered unemployed if they are jobless with ALL employers simultaneously.
An IP cannot claim relief under ABVKY for the same period they are receiving other forms of cash compensation under the ESI Act. However, regular payments for Permanent Disability Benefit will continue.
If an IP is already receiving a similar benefit under any other law, they cannot claim relief under ABVKY.

Grounds for Disqualification or Termination of Relief:

During a lockout.
If the employees' strike is declared illegal by the competent authority.
Voluntary abandonment of employment, voluntary retirement, or premature retirement.
Having less than two years of contributory service.
On reaching the age of superannuation.
If convicted for making a false statement under Section 84 of the ESI Act.
If re-employed elsewhere while receiving relief under ABVKY.
Dismissal or termination due to disciplinary action.
Upon the death of the Insured Person.

How To Apply

To apply for the benefits under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana:

You can submit your claim online via the official ESIC website: www.esic.in.
Along with the online application, you will need to submit a physical claim form.
This physical claim must include an affidavit, a photocopy of your Aadhaar Card, and your Bank Account details.
The physical documents can be submitted either in person or by post to the designated ESIC Branch Office.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card
Bank Passbook or a cancelled cheque leaf (showing Account Number, IFSC Code, and Branch Name)
Insurance details
Proof of Address
Employer details
An affidavit
Salary Slip for the last two months
Attendance Sheet of the applicant
Any other relevant documents as may be required by the ESIC authorities.

FAQ’s

What is the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)?

The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) is a scheme by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) that provides financial support to insured individuals who have become unemployed. It offers cash compensation to help them during their job search period.

Who is responsible for running the ABVKY scheme?

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which falls under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, is the implementing agency for this scheme.

What are the main benefits provided under the ABVKY scheme?

The scheme offers financial relief amounting to 50% of an employee's average daily earnings from their last job. This relief can be claimed for up to 90 days of unemployment, provided the individual meets the required employment and contribution history.

How long must someone have been employed to qualify for unemployment benefits?

To be eligible, an insured person must have been in insurable employment for a minimum of two years immediately before they became unemployed.

What are the contribution requirements for the period just before becoming unemployed?

An insured person needs to have contributed for at least 78 days during the contribution period that directly preceded their unemployment.

Are there any other contribution requirements within the two years before unemployment?

Yes, in addition to the 78 days in the immediate preceding period, the insured person must have also contributed for a minimum of 78 days in any one of the three contribution periods within the two years prior to their unemployment.

When can an insured person make a claim for unemployment relief?

A claim for unemployment relief becomes due 30 days after the date on which the person became unemployed.

If someone has multiple jobs, when are they considered unemployed for this scheme?

An insured person working for more than one employer is considered unemployed under this scheme only if they are jobless with all their employers at the same time.

Does everyone covered by the ESI Act need to sign up separately for this scheme?

No, all insured persons covered under the ESI Act are automatically eligible for the benefits of this scheme. There is no need for separate registration.

What are the reasons why someone might be disqualified from receiving relief under ABVKY?

Disqualification can occur during a lockout, if an illegal strike is involved, due to voluntary retirement or abandonment of employment, if the person has less than two years of contributory service, on reaching superannuation age, if convicted for false statements, if re-employed while claiming relief, or upon dismissal due to disciplinary action or death.

Can an individual claim ABVKY benefits if they were unemployed during a lockdown but are now working?

Yes, such individuals are eligible if they meet all the required conditions for the scheme. However, a crucial requirement is that the claimant must have been unemployed during the period for which they are claiming the relief.

What is considered the age of superannuation?

The age of superannuation typically depends on a company's policy and relevant laws. As per the ESI Act, the age of sixty years can generally be considered for superannuation.

How should I submit my application for the ABVKY scheme?

You can apply online through the ESIC website (www.esic.in). You will also need to submit a physical claim form, an affidavit, a copy of your Aadhaar Card, and your bank account details to the nearest ESIC Branch Office, either by post or in person.