Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing experience, both emotionally and practically. It is completely natural if practical matters feel very far away right now, but when you have the energy, it can be helpful to take care of certain things. It can make things much easier for you both now and in the future.
If you are unemployed
You need to report your illness to Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Agency) even if you are not working at the time you become ill. Depending on what your situation was before, it may affect your eligibility for sickness benefits. Ung Cancer has worked together with Försäkringskassan to create tailored information for you who are ill.
At Försäkringskassan, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers about what they need to assess your benefits. You can also read about who can receive benefits, and whether you can both work and receive benefits at the same time.
www.forsakringskassan.se/privatperson/sa-fungerar-den-svenska-sjukforsakringen
If you are studying at upper secondary school
Being diagnosed with cancer as an upper secondary school student is a major challenge. To help you focus on your treatment and well-being, there are special rights and accommodations that you may be entitled to.
Barncancerfonden has created “The Right to Support in School for Students with Cancer”. It is an information guide that explains the rules in the Education Act and the national curriculum, making it easier to know what support you are entitled to at school. Some parts of the material are intended for you as a student, while other parts are for your guardians and your school.
You can find the material on Barncancerfonden's website: www.barncancerfonden.se/for-drabbade/stod/skola/ratt-till-stod-i-skolan/
If you are studying at college, vocational school, or university
If you are studying, it is very important that you report your illness to Försäkringskassan from your first day of illness. You can also contact CSN (the Swedish National Student Aid Foundation) to tell them about your situation and get help with things such as repayment of student loans. We also recommend that you contact your school to get help if you need to take a leave of absence during your illness.
Check whether you have a sickness or accident insurance that provides benefits upon diagnosis. If so, contact the insurance company and report that you have received a cancer diagnosis.
Do you work part-time or full-time?
If you work full-time or part-time, it is very important that you report your illness to Försäkringskassan from your first day of illness. You need to submit your medical certificate to both Försäkringskassan and your employer. It is important that you contact and inform your employer about the situation. There may be occupational health services or special insurance through work that could be valuable to know about.
Ung Cancer has worked together with Försäkringskassan to create tailored information for you who are ill and unable to work due to your illness. At Försäkringskassan, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers about what they need to assess your benefits. You can also read about who can receive benefits, and whether you can both work and receive benefits at the same time.
https://www.forsakringskassan.se/privatperson/sa-fungerar-den-svenska-sjukforsakringen
Check whether you have a sickness or accident insurance that provides benefits upon diagnosis. If so, contact the insurance company and report that you have received a cancer diagnosis.