Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana
50% wage relief for up to 90 days · unemployed insured workers · India
ESIC-insured employees who lose their jobs involuntarily can claim cash relief of 50% of their average daily wages for up to 90 days under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY). No separate registration is needed if you are already covered under ESI — the relief becomes claimable 30 days after unemployment. Apply online at esic.gov.in using your ESIC insurance number.
About This Scheme
ESIC-insured employees who lose their jobs involuntarily can claim cash relief of 50% of their average daily wages for up to 90 days under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY). No separate registration is needed if you are already covered under ESI — the relief becomes claimable 30 days after unemployment. Apply online at esic.gov.in using your ESIC insurance number.
Full official description
The scheme “Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)” was introduced by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on a pilot basis for a period of 2 years w.e.f. 01.07.2018 for providing relief to the Insured Persons (IPs) who have become unemployed. Under this scheme relief in the form of cash compensation to the extent of 50% of the average per day earnings was paid up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment subject to conditions that the employee should have completed two years of Insurable employment and has contributed not less than Seventy-Eight (78) days in each of the three consecutive contribution periods immediately preceding to the claim of the relief.
Benefits
- Cash relief of 50% of average per day earnings during your last employment
- Relief paid for up to 90 days of unemployment (once in a lifetime)
- Medical benefits under ESI continue during the relief period
- Payment transferred directly to your bank account electronically
💡 Why Startups Should Care
For anyone transitioning out of formal employment to start their own business, this scheme provides a temporary income cushion — 50% of your last earnings for up to 90 days — reducing the financial pressure during your startup's earliest, most uncertain months.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be currently covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme
- Must have been in insurable employment for at least 2 years continuously
- Must have contributed at least 78 days in each of the 3 consecutive contribution periods before the claim
- Unemployment must be involuntary — not due to misconduct, voluntary retirement, or superannuation
- Aadhaar and bank account must be linked to the ESIC database
- If employed with multiple employers, must be unemployed with all of them to qualify
- Relief is available only once in a lifetime
How to Apply
- Visit esic.gov.in and submit an online claim.
- Attach Aadhaar card, bank passbook, and insurance details.
- Provide employer details and an affidavit confirming unemployment.
- Submit your salary slips for the qualifying period.
- On verification, relief payment is processed for the eligible period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “ABVKY” Scheme?
The scheme "Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)" was introduced by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on a pilot basis for a period of 2 years w.e.f. 01.07.2018 for providing relief to the Insured Persons (IPs) who have become unemployed. Under this scheme relief in the form of cash compensation to the extent of 50% of the average per day earnings was paid up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment subject to conditions that the employee should have completed two years of Insurable employment and has contributed not less than Seventy-Eight (78) days in each of the three consecutive contribution periods immediately preceding to the claim of the relief.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India
What are the eligibility criteria to apply under the scheme?
- The Insured Person (IP) should have been rendered unemployed during the period the relief is claimed.
- The Insured Person should have been in insurable employment for a minimum period of two years.
- The Insured Person should have contributed not less than 78 days during each of the preceding four contribution periods.
- The contribution in respect of him/her should have been paid or payable by the employer.
- The unemployment contingency should not have resulted from any punishment for misconduct, superannuation, or voluntary retirement.
- The Aadhaar and Bank Account of the Insured Person should be linked with the insured person database.
What are the conditions for the Disqualification/Termination of relief under ABVKY?
- During lockout
- Strike resorted to by the employees declared illegal by the competent authority
- Voluntary abandonment of employment/ voluntary retirement/ premature retirement
- Less than two years of contributory service
- On attaining the age of superannuation
- Convicted (i.e. punished for false statement) under the provisions of Section 84 of the ESI Act read with Rule 62 of the ESI (Central) Rule
- On being re-employed elsewhere during the period he/she is in receipt of Relief under ABVKY
- Dismissal/termination under disciplinary action
- On the death of IP
What are the benefits of this scheme?
- The scheme provides relief to the extent of 50% of the average per day earnings of employees during their last employment.
- The relief amount to be paid up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment subject to conditions that the employee should have completed two years of Insurable employment and has contributed not less than Seventy-Eight (78) days in each of the three consecutive contribution periods.
What is the minimum employment period required to be eligible for Unemployment Insurance?
The insured person should have been in insurable employment for a minimum period of two years immediately before their unemployment.
How many days of contribution are required in the contribution period preceding unemployment?
The insured person should have contributed for not less than 78 days in the contribution period immediately preceding the unemployment.
Are there any additional contribution requirements in the two years prior to unemployment?
Yes, in addition to the 78 days in the immediate preceding contribution period, the insured person must also have a minimum of 78 days of contribution in one of the remaining three contribution periods within the two years prior to unemployment.
When does an Unemployment Insurance claim become due?
An Unemployment Insurance claim becomes due 30 days after the date of unemployment.
Can an individual covered under the ESI scheme be considered unemployed if working for more than one employer?
No, under the ESI scheme, an individual working for multiple employers will be considered unemployed only if they are rendered unemployed with all employers simultaneously.
What happens if an individual covered under the ESI scheme is unemployed with only one of the multiple employers?
If an individual covered under the ESI scheme is unemployed with only one of the multiple employers, they will not be considered unemployed for the purposes of ESI benefits. Unemployment status is determined when an individual is unemployed with all employers simultaneously under the scheme.
Do all Insured Persons covered under the ESI Act need to register separately to avail themselves of the scheme benefits?
No, all Insured Persons covered under the ESI Act are automatically entitled to the scheme benefits, and no separate registration is required. The entitlement is based on the coverage under the ESI Act, and eligible individuals are granted access to the benefits without the need for additional registration.
Does the scheme cover the IPs who was unemployed during the lockdown but are now working?
Such employees, if fulfil the required eligibility conditions are eligible for relief under the scheme. But the claimant must have been unemployed during the period of claim.
What is the age of superannuation?
The age of superannuation of any insured person is company specific as per company's policy in accordance with law. As per the explanation under Section 56 of the ESI Act the age of superannuation can be taken as age of sixty years.
How to apply under the scheme?
The application for the claims benefits can be made online at website www.esic.in along with submission of the physical claim with an affidavit, photocopy of Aadhaar Card and Bank Account details to the designated ESIC Branch Office by post or in person.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook / cancelled cheque leaf
- Insurance detail
- Address proof
- Employer detail
- Affidavit
- Salary slips