If you're someone who's currently planning to resign from your job, yet haven't found a new one yet, it might feel like stepping into uncertainty, waiting idly for a new opportunity. If you're still brave enough, unsure if resigning is the right move, but your heart doesn't want to continue in the same job, ready to step forward even without a new job in hand, let me tell you that there's still a financial safety net. Because the social security contributions deducted by your company every month offer more benefits than you might think. And when you find yourself unemployed after making the decision to resign, the social security fund is still there to support you by providing 'unemployment compensation'.

Social security benefits for people who resign from their jobs.

Unemployment compensation refers to the money that the government will pay to insured individuals according to Section 33 of the Social Security Fund, which has conditions and details regarding the payment of compensation as follows,

      -In the case of resignation or termination of employment contract, individuals will receive unemployment compensation at a rate of 30% of their actual salary base, not exceeding 15,000 Baht, for a period not exceeding 90 days per calendar year.

For example, if an insured individual has a salary base of 10,000 Baht, they will receive compensation of 3,000 Baht per month for a maximum period of 3 months. Alternatively, if an insured individual has a salary base of 20,000 Baht, they will receive compensation of 4,500 Baht per month for a maximum period of 3 months (calculated based on the maximum salary base of 15,000 Baht).

    -In the case of termination of employment, individuals will receive unemployment compensation at a rate of 50% of their actual salary base, not exceeding 15,000 Baht, for a period not exceeding 180 days per calendar year. For example, if an insured individual has a salary base of 10,000 Baht, they will receive compensation of 5,000 Baht per month for a maximum period of 3 months. Alternatively, if an insured individual has a salary base of 20,000 Baht, they will receive compensation of 7,500 Baht per month for a maximum period of 3 months (calculated based on the maximum salary base of 15,000 Baht).

The main criteria used to determine eligibility for benefits from this unemployment are:

Must have been a contributor for social security for a minimum of 6 months within the 15 months prior to unemployment (due to termination, resignation, or contract expiration) without any legal infractions.

       -Must register as unemployed at the government job placement office within 30 days from the date of unemployment, without waiting for a certification letter from the previous employer, to demonstrate initial entitlement.

       -If the claim is filed later than 30 days, retroactive benefits will not be granted.

       -Must possess the ability to work and be ready to undertake suitable employment provided.

       -Must not refuse job training.

       -Must report to the job placement office at least once a month.

Currently, the Social Security Office allows unemployed individuals to register for unemployment benefits and report their status through the website https://unemploy.doe.go.th/welcome. It's easy and convenient to register, and the following items are required:

1. Original national identification card.
2. Mobile phone for verification.
3. Copy of the front page of a savings bank account passbook under the insured person's name and account number. The compensation will be transferred to this account.

 Then, you can proceed to register as unemployed following the steps below.

     1.Register for the digital ID verification and authentication service provided by the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) by entering your national identification card information and verifying your identity. For this step, please have your actual ID card and mobile phone ready as you will need to enter the code behind the ID card and verify your mobile phone number.

     2.After that, log in using the User/Password registered with the Digital ID to proceed with online registration as unemployed.

     3.Fill in personal information and employment status.

     4.Choose the job you are interested in and apply for it directly through this process.     Alternatively, if you intend to freelance, you can select "Freelance" and specify your occupation.

     5.Fill in the information in the Request for Unemployment Benefits Form (SPS.2-01/7).

     6.Attach a copy of your bank account passbook to the system. After that, you must regularly report your unemployed status online once a month for a period of 3 months to receive compensation for the full duration or report new employment information if you find a new job. The system will notify you when it's time to report."

If you are unsure whether the registration was successful, or you want to check your reporting status and compensation payments, you can log in to the system to verify.

"Besides registering as unemployed, for those who have resigned and do not plan to apply for new jobs soon or intend to fully transition to freelance work, it is regrettable to lose the social security contributions made during regular employment. We recommend applying to become insured individuals under Section 39 to contribute to the social security fund personally. This contribution amounts to only 432 Baht per month. You can submit the application at the local social security office. However, please note that you must apply in person within 6 months from the date of leaving your job to continue enjoying the benefits of being insured."

  Source: https://www.sso.go.th/

  Source: https://www.jobdb.com