Registered unemployed – what now? The most important obligations & the official SECO guide

The initial shock of unemployment has settled, and registering with the RAV is complete. But now the actual process begins: clear rules and obligations apply that you must adhere to in order to avoid jeopardizing your daily allowances. We have summarized the key points from the official SECO guide in an easy-to-understand way for you.

Bonus: Further down in this article, you can download the official SECO guide (2026 edition) for free as a PDF.

1. Your Most Important Obligation: Job-Seeking Efforts

The absolute fundamental requirement for receiving daily allowances is the duty to minimize damage (Schadensminderungspflicht). This means: You are obligated to do everything reasonable to shorten your period of unemployment.

In practice, this means you must write a specified number of job applications per month (usually 8 to 12). You must present these to your RAV advisor on time every month – usually via the proof of personal job-seeking efforts form (PAB).

Anyone who slacks off here risks so-called suspension days (Einstelltage). These are days when your daily allowance is completely withheld because you failed to fulfill your duties.

[Dein Vorname Nachname]
[Deine Strasse & Hausnummer, PLZ Ort]
AHV-Nr.: [756.XXXX.XXXX.XX]

EINSCHREIBEN / PERSÖNLICHE ÜBERGABE
[Name der Arbeitslosenkasse, z.B. Kantonale Arbeitslosenkasse Graubünden]
[Strasse / Postfach, PLZ Ort]

, 20.08.2026

Betreff: Dringender Antrag auf Taggeld-Vorschusszahlung gemäss Art. 29 AVIG

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren

Ich habe mich per [Datum deiner Anmeldung] ordnungsgemäss zum Leistungsbezug bei Ihrer Kasse angemeldet und sämtliche mir vorliegenden Unterlagen vollständig eingereicht.

Bis zum heutigen Tag – mithin seit über 8 Wochen – habe ich weder eine Leistungsabrechnung noch die mir zustehenden Taggelder für die vergangenen Kontrollperioden erhalten. 

Da meine grundsätzliche Anspruchsberechtigung ausgewiesen ist und durch die ausbleibenden Zahlungen eine akute finanzielle Notlage droht (laufende Fixkosten, Miete, Krankenkasse), beantrage ich hiermit ausdrücklich:

1. Die unverzügliche Ausrichtung einer angemessenen Vorschusszahlung auf meine Taggelder gemäss Art. 29 AVIG auf mein Ihnen bekanntes Bankkonto.
2. Eine schriftliche Auskunft darüber, welche allfälligen Drittunterlagen (z.B. Arbeitgeberbescheinigung) Ihrem Hause noch fehlen, damit ich diese unverzüglich nachfordern kann.

Für eine Auszahlung des Vorschusses innert 5 Arbeitstagen danke ich Ihnen im Voraus bestens.

Freundliche Grüsse

(Unterschrift)

[Dein Vorname Nachname]

2. Interim Earnings (Zwischenverdienst): Why It's Worth It

Many ask themselves whether they should take a temporary or part-time job that pays less than their daily allowance. The clear answer from SECO: Yes!

This is called interim earnings (Zwischenverdienst). In such cases, the unemployment fund pays a so-called compensatory payment. As a result, you always have more money in your account than if you were relying solely on daily allowances. In addition, you build valuable contacts and accumulate new contribution months for the insurance.

3. Illness, Accident, and Holidays (Control-Free Days)

Have you fallen ill? Then the rule is: Duty to report! You must report incapacity for work to the RAV within one week. From the 4th day of illness, a doctor's certificate is strictly required.

Control-free days (holidays): After 60 days of controlled unemployment, you are entitled to 5 control-free days. During this time, you are exempt from job application requirements. Attention: You must register this "holiday period" with the RAV at least two weeks in advance!

The Problem with "Paperwork"

The biggest risk for job seekers isn't failing to find jobs, but losing track within the bureaucracy. Forget proof, miss deadlines, or document job applications poorly, and you will be penalized by the system – often with drastic financial cuts (suspension days).

The RAV expects a flawless, complete documentation of your job search. Every mistake can cost you actual money.

PARAT: Your Security in Everyday RAV Life

This is exactly where PARAT comes in. Instead of struggling with Excel spreadsheets and countless forms, PARAT takes care of all the administrative work for you:

• Centralized management: Store all job applications in one place.
• CV generator: Create RAV-compliant, professional CVs in minutes.
• ZIP export for the RAV: With a single click at the end of the month, you get a complete ZIP package containing all proof for your advisor.

Test PARAT for free now – no subscription, no hidden costs. Start your job search stress-free.

Download: The Official SECO Guide 2026

Would you like to read all legal details, figures, and eligibility requirements in detail? You can download the official document from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) here:

📄 Download: A Guide for Insured Persons - Unemployment (PDF)

In this guide, you will find detailed answers to 17 central questions regarding unemployment, daily allowances, and obligations.