Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana | ESI Unemployment Relief

Overview

Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana is a relief scheme run by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for insured workers who become unemployed due to retrenchment, closure of establishment, or permanent invalidity. It provides direct cash support to workers during the unemployment period.

Objective

The scheme aims to offer a financial safety net to insured workers when they lose their jobs. It helps them meet basic expenses while they search for new employment, reducing the economic hardship caused by sudden unemployment.

Benefits

• Cash relief equivalent to 50% of the average daily wages
• Relief payable for a maximum of 90 days of unemployment
• Claim can be made after 30 days of unemployment
• Relief can be availed twice in a worker’s lifetime
• Scheme extended and made permanent after initial pilot success

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an insured person under the ESI Act
• Must have been in insurable employment for at least two years
• Contributions must have been paid for a minimum of 78 days in the previous four contribution periods
• Should be unemployed and registered with the employment exchange
• Must not be receiving any other unemployment benefit

Exclusions

• Workers who resigned voluntarily are not eligible
• Those removed from service due to misconduct
• Applicants who are self-employed or not covered under ESIC
• Workers who have already claimed the benefit twice

Application Process

1. File a claim through the ESIC online portal or at the nearest ESIC branch office
2. Submit the claim after 30 days of unemployment
3. Attach proof of unemployment and contribution records
4. Register at the nearest employment exchange if not already done
5. ESIC verifies contribution history and employment status
6. Relief amount is transferred to the insured person’s Aadhaar-linked bank account

Documents Required

• ESIC insurance number (IP number)
• Aadhaar card
• Bank account details linked to Aadhaar
• Proof of unemployment (retrenchment letter or closure notice)
• Employment exchange registration certificate
• Passport-size photographs