Plenty of job opportunities in Eskilstuna and the surrounding area have led to the number of grant recipients becoming fewer and fewer throughout 2022. In just under two years, the number of households with financial assistance decreased by just under 25 percent, from 2,517 households in January 2021 to 1,922 in October 2022.
Long-term unemployed
– It is those who have been closest to the labor market who have got jobs, says Magnus Minh Gustafsson, head of administration at the labor market and adult education board.
Remaining among those still dependent on financial assistance to make ends meet are many who have been unemployed for more than two years. In order to strengthen their opportunities to one day provide for themselves, tougher requirements and activity obligations were introduced in December.
Rejection decision
For those who have been granted livelihood support, this means a requirement to participate in activities that will eventually lead to a job. Anyone who does not follow the plan risks losing their livelihood support.
– There must be a consequence if you do not participate in the activity that has been decided. Then we have the right to make a refusal decision.
Hear managing director Magnus Minh Gustafsson answer three questions about tougher requirements for financial assistance.