Care of a child whose health is seriously impaired
Parents who have to leave work temporarily or reduce their working hours to take care of a child whose health is seriously impaired are entitled to 14 weeks' paid leave. The income compensation insurance (IC) partially compensates the parent for the income lost during this leave.
Eligibility criteria
You are entitled to a carer's allowance if:
- you are an employee or a self-employed; and
- the child with serious health impairment is under 18.
The serious health impairment must be clearly defined, must be certified by a doctor and must required a higher degree of care from the parents.
If you are unemployed or unable to work, you also are entitled, under certain circumstances, to a carer's allowance.
Benefits
Parents can take up to 14 weeks' paid leave to care for their child whose health is seriously impaired. This is covered by the income compensation insurance (IC) and compensated for up to 80% of the eligible parent's average income prior to leave (max. CHF 220 francs per day).
If both parents wish to take paid leave, it is up to them to decide how and when the 14 weeks are shared. However, this leave must be taken within an 18-month period.
Short-term leave for less serious health impairment
The Swiss Code of Obligations provides for three days' leave for short periods of absence from work to care for relatives. In this case, the person requiring care or assistance does not necessarily have to be a child. The leave also applies to the care of a partner, sibling, or parent. The employer is obliged to continue paying wages during the short period of absence.
Contributions
If you live or work in Switzerland, you have to pay contributions for the income compensation insurance (IC) from 1 January following your 20th birthday. If you are already in paid work, this obligation begins at the age of 17. The same applies to individuals who remain in paid work beyond the reference age. IC contributions are deducted at the same time as contributions for old-age and survivor’s insurance and invalidity insurance.
- As an employee, you pay half of these contributions. Your employer pays the other half.
- If you are self-employed, your contributions are calculated on the basis of the income earned in the contribution year.
- If you are not in paid work, you still have to pay IC contributions. These are calculated based on your assets and/or your annual pension income.
More information on IC contributions: Overview of Swiss social security contributions
Application process
If you are employed, your employer submits the application to the competent compensation fund (OASI office).
If you are self-employed or not in paid work, you need to submit your carer's allowance application to your compensation fund (OASI office).
If both parents wish to take paid leave, the compensation fund (OASI office) of the first parent to receive a carer's allowance is the point of contact.
Contact
List of compensation funds / OASI offices:
Contacts | OASI/DI Information Center