Article 13 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law
المادة 13 من نظام التأمين ضد التعطل عن العمل
The Article sets the maximum payment period at 12 months, continuous or not, for each entitlement, and no more than 12 months within any 24 consecutive months.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تكون المدة القصوى لصرف التعويض اثني عشر شهراً متصلة أو متقطعة عن كل مرة من مرات الاستحقاق، على ألا تزيد هذه المدة عن اثني عشر شهراً خلال كل أربعة وعشرين شهراً متصلة تبدأ من تاريخ أول صرف يتم خلال هذه المدة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 13 explained in plain English
This Article sets the maximum period for paying compensation, with two limits that work together:
- The limit for each entitlement: the payment period may not exceed 12 months for each entitlement, whether these months are continuous or not. If payment stops and then resumes, all months paid count toward the 12 months.
- The time-window limit: the payment period may not exceed 12 months within any 24 consecutive months starting from the date of the first payment made within that period.
In practice, this means a beneficiary cannot receive more than 12 months of compensation within the 24-month window that starts with the first payment, even if they become unemployed again.
This Article is linked to Article 14, which treats a claim as a new entitlement whenever the beneficiary has been paid compensation for the maximum period set here, and requires a longer work period for each new entitlement. Article 12 also sets the maximum monthly amount paid during this period: SAR 9,000 for the first three months and SAR 7,500 afterwards.
Because counting the months in non-continuous cases can raise questions, anyone with a complicated case should consult a lawyer specialized in social insurance.
Practical example
Reem was paid compensation for 5 months, then got a job and payment stopped; shortly after, she lost the new job and payment resumed. The total paid to her cannot exceed 12 months for this entitlement, so at most 7 months remain for her, and no more than 12 months within 24 months starting from the first payment.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law
What is the maximum period for paying unemployment compensation?
12 months, continuous or not, for each entitlement.
Can I receive more than 12 months within two years?
No. The period may not exceed 12 months within any 24 consecutive months starting from the date of the first payment.
More articles on Amount and Duration of Unemployment Compensation
- Article 11
The Article sets compensation at 60% of the average contribution-subject wages for each of the first three months, and 50% for each month after that.
1- يصرف التعويض المنصوص عليه في هذا النظام بواقع (60%) ستين في المائة من متوسط الأجور الشهرية الخاضعة للاشتراك عن كل شهر من الأشهر الثلاثة الأولى وبواقع (50%) خ
- Article 12
The Article sets a maximum of SAR 9,000 per month for the first three months and SAR 7,500 afterwards, and raises compensation to the job-search allowance if it falls below it.
1- يكون الحد الأعلى لمبلغ التعويض (9,000) تسعة آلاف ريال عن كل شهر من الأشهر الثلاثة الأولى، و(7,500) سبعة آلاف وخمسمائة ريال عن كل شهر يزيد على ذلك. 2- إذا قل
- Article 19
The Article allows the beneficiary to combine unemployment compensation with specified social insurance compensations, such as the lump-sum compensation, annuities and family-member pensions.
يحق للمستفيد الجمع بين التعويض المنصوص عليه في هذا النظام وبين تعويضات نظام التأمينات الاجتماعية الآتية: 1 - التعويض المقطوع وتعويض الدفعة الواحدة المستحقة له ط
- Article 21
The Article provides that unemployment compensation may not be seized or assigned except under the same conditions set for wages in the Labor Law.
التعويض المنصوص عليه في هذا النظام غير قابل للحجز أو التنازل إلا وفق الشروط نفسها المحددة فيما يتعلق بالأجور المنصوص عليها في نظام العمل.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.