“Chaos reigns” as new unemployment payment system causes delays

A new unemployment benefit payment system has been introduced in Switzerland and is causing major problems. Some unemployment benefit recipients may experience payment delays. 

Delays to Swiss unemployment benefit payments

“Chaos reigns at the unemployment insurance offices” after a new payment system was introduced at the beginning of the year. Several IT issues have resulted in “significantly delayed payments”, reports 20 Minuten which spoke to an employee at the unemployment insurance office.

Some unemployment insurance funds (i.e. payments for people who have lost their job) are around a week delayed. The employee warns that if the issues with the new system aren’t resolved then some unemployment benefits “will fall several months behind in processing claims.”

Fabian Maienfisch, media spokesperson for the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has warned that people due payments should expect delays. While some issues have been resolved, delays may continue for applications that have been entered manually. Maienfisch recommends that people submitting the “Insured Person’s Details” should do so digitally.

Problems with new unemployment benefit system

The new unemployment benefit system has resulted in longer loading times, additional steps and IT problems. “What used to take one or two minutes now takes up to half an hour,” according to the employee. 

The updated system is “slow and unstable” and “many [employees] are at their limit. We have been informed that we are in a crisis situation.” The SECO is expected to publish a press release to provide further guidance on the issue.