Only students over 30 can receive unemployment benefits – VG

On Wednesday, Erna Solberg gave her traditional Christmas recap. The Prime Minister spoke about the special year we have experienced.

One of the novelties he presented is that the government wants to give unemployed or laid-off students the opportunity to receive unemployment benefits. On the other hand, only students over 30 have this opportunity.

At the press conference, Solberg says he doesn’t want it to be a way for full-time 20-year-olds to get unemployment help.

– The age limit is set to prevent unemployment benefits from becoming a real alternative to student support funded by the Loan Fund, Solberg said.

Another requirement if you are now going to receive unemployment benefits as a student is that you cannot study full time. The maximum requirement is ten or 15 credits in one semester. That is, less than 50 percent study load.

In addition, a reduced unemployment benefit rate will be considered, as general support for training should not be too high compared to regular student funding, the government writes on its website. The scheme is fixed and therefore will not only apply during the crown crisis.

– we are excluded

Andreas Trohjell is the leader of the Norwegian student organization and says on behalf of the country’s students that they are not very happy with what the government is bringing today.

– Those who receive unemployment benefits will be able to become students, but those of us who study will not have the opportunity to receive unemployment benefits, he says.

Trohjell says he would like this plan to apply to students, so they could receive the same benefits as other workers.

– We have asked to join this scheme for quite some time, so it is boring that we are excluded again, he says.

He asks the government to establish a support scheme for students who have lost income.

– Not one that makes students get loans and all other layoffs get other benefits, he adds.

The loan Trohjell is referring to is the spring semester support plan, which made it possible for students to apply for an additional loan.

There were harsh reactions from politicians, unions and students when the proposal was launched. Only 35 percent of the loan to students who had lost income from work became a scholarship.

Working on a solution

Research and Higher Education Minister Henrik Asheim responds that what the prime minister presented today is not a crisis measure.

– There are lasting changes in the regulation of unemployment benefits so that layoffs and the unemployed can dedicate their time to obtaining a diploma, certificate of trade or a little more replacement, he tells VG.

Asheim says that students, unlike other employees, have income security through Lånekassen every month.

– We are now working to try to find a solution for students who need it during Christmas. It should be smaller in scope, but more specific than this spring, says the Minister of Education.

He adds that they will also see how they can create more jobs in the country that are suitable for students who were left without work after the pandemic.

Provide basic training

The government’s proposal also means that the unemployed and the laid-off can pursue primary and secondary education, as well as vocational training. Here, the lowest age limit is set at 25 years.

– Basic skills are often a prerequisite for getting a job in today’s job market. For beneficiaries of unemployment benefits who lack such competence, the period without work can be an excellent opportunity to make themselves more attractive in the labor market, says the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Henrik Asheim, according to the press release.

The duration of primary and secondary education and vocational training is adapted to the duration limitation of the unemployment benefit scheme. For higher education, a maximum duration of six or twelve months is proposed.