Social Security - Unemployment Benefits

The unemployment benefit scheme involves two public bodies, the Pole Emploi. All active jobseekers can register by showing some identification or a residence permit and a work permit if the jobseeker is not French. Registration can be by mail, telephone or on line.

In addition, persons wishing to claim return to work benefit (‘ARE’) must also present the following:

• one or more certificates from employers, 
• a copy of their social security registration card, 
• a statement with their bank or postal account details. 

Once registered, the jobseeker gets a jobseeker's card. To receive unemployment benefit, employees must:

• have worked at least 6 months during the last 22 months, 
• be registered as a jobseeker 
• not have left their job voluntarily,
• be under the age of 60,
• be physically fit to work.
• be actively and permanently seeking work 

Depending on how long they have worked, jobseekers may receive the ‘ARE’ return to work benefit for a period of between 7 and 23 months. The amount of the ARE varies according to the wage received by the jobseeker during the reference period. The rates are as follows:

Specific provisions also exist for over-fifties, seasonal workers or entertainment workers without steady employment.

The solidarity scheme provides for the payment of assistance benefit to three categories of unemployed persons:

• the long-term unemployed who are no longer eligible for unemployment benefit;
• jobseekers who have no work references and find it particularly difficult to find jobs;
• workers in the private sector who can prove that they have paid 160 three-month periods into the old-age pension system.

The Solidarity allowance is reserved for jobseekers whose individual or joint resources do not exceed a certain threshold. Calculation of the fixed allowance is based on the income of the people concerned.

Text last edited on: 03/2007

Source: European Union
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