Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY): Unemployment Relief for ESI-Insured Workers

Context

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved the extension of the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) from 1^st July 2026 to 30^th  June 2027.

About Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)

1. The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) is an unemployment relief scheme launched on 1^st July 2018 for workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948. It is implemented by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
2. The scheme provides temporary income support to insured employees who lose their jobs while they search for new employment.

Salient Features

1. Financial Assistance: Eligible beneficiaries receive 50% of their average daily earnings, calculated on the basis of the previous four contribution periods.
2. Benefit Period: Relief is payable for a maximum of 90 days of unemployment.
3. One-Time Benefit: The benefit can be availed only once during the lifetime of an insured person.
4. Claim Submission: Claims can be submitted after becoming unemployed, but not later than one year from the date of unemployment.

Eligibility Criteria

An insured person is eligible to receive relief if he or she:

1. Is covered under Section 2(9) of the ESI Act, 1948.
2. Is unemployed during the claim period.
3. Has completed at least two years of insurable employment.
4. Has contributed for at least 78 days during each of the previous four contribution periods.
5. The employer has paid or is liable to pay the prescribed ESI contributions.
6. Has linked Aadhaar and bank account.

Exclusions

Relief under the scheme is not admissible in the following cases:

1. During a lockout.
2. During an illegal strike declared by the competent authority.
3. Voluntary abandonment of employment, voluntary retirement, or premature retirement.
4. Completion of less than two years of contributory service.
5. On attaining the age of superannuation.
6. Conviction under Section 84 of the ESI Act read with Rule 62 of the ESI (Central) Rules.
7. Re-employment during the period of receiving relief under the scheme.
8. Dismissal or termination due to disciplinary action.
9. Death of the insured person.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)?

Ans: The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) is an unemployment relief scheme for workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948. It provides temporary income support to insured employees who lose their jobs.

Q2. Which organisation implements the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: The scheme is implemented by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Q3. How much relief is provided under the ABVKY?

Ans: Eligible beneficiaries receive 50% of their average daily earnings, calculated on the basis of the previous four contribution periods, for a maximum period of 90 days.

Q4. What are the eligibility conditions under the ABVKY?

Ans: The insured person must be covered under the ESI Act, have completed two years of insurable employment, contributed for at least 78 days during each of the previous four contribution periods, remain unemployed during the claim period, have ESI contributions paid or payable by the employer, and have a linked Aadhaar and bank account.

Q5. In which situations is relief not available under the ABVKY?

Ans: Relief is not admissible during a lockout, illegal strike, voluntary retirement or abandonment of employment, disciplinary dismissal, re-employment, superannuation, death, or when the prescribed eligibility conditions are not fulfilled.

Q6. How many times can an insured person avail the benefit under the ABVKY?

Ans: The benefit can be availed only once during the lifetime of an insured person.

Q7. What is the time limit for submitting a claim under the ABVKY?

Ans: A claim can be submitted after becoming unemployed, but not later than one year from the date of unemployment.