New Delhi: In a relief to workers affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the government has extended its Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) while also relaxing eligibility criteria and enhancing payment.
The Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) provides cash relief to insured persons during the period of unemployment. The scheme was launched in July 2018, on pilot basis for a period of two years has now been extended for one more year i.e until June 30, 2021.
The Relief under ABVKY shall be paid/ payable by Branch Office to IPs directly in their bank account only.
The eligibility criteria for availing the relief has also been relaxed, as under:
a) The payment of relief has been enhanced to 50% of the average wages from earlier 25% of average wages payable up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment.
b) Instead of the relief becoming payable 90 days after unemployment, it shall become due for payment after 30 days.
c) The Insured Person (IP) can submit the claim directly to the ESIC Branch Office instead of it being forwarded by the last employer and the payment shall be made directly in the bank account of the IP.
d) The IP should have been insurable employment for a minimum period of two years before his/her employment and should have contributed for not less than 78 days in the contribution period immediately preceding to unemployment and minimum 78 days in one of the remaining 3 contribution periods in 2 years prior to unemployment.
