New payment system for unemployment insurance funds The SECO unit responsible for the labour market and unemployment insurance has been working hard since 2017 to develop the new ASAL 2.0 system for the processing and payment of unemployment benefit. ASAL 2.0 has been developed in close partnership with the enforcement offices. In 2023–24, the system currently used to manage beneficiaries will be replaced in stages by a new, more efficient solution with better user acceptance and improved process orientation.
The project plan envisages a staggered rollout of the ASAL 2.0 system.
The productive partial introduction of ASAL 2.0 for the processing and payment of short-time working and bad-weather compensation was implemented on schedule over Easter 2023. Operational use delivered valuable feedback and findings, which will be taken into account to ensure the successful introduction of the overall system.
Since the implementation of unemployment and insolvency compensation (UI and IC) and the ‘International affairs’ area in ASAL 2.0 requires more time, the rollout previously planned for end of 2023 / start of 2024 will be postponed and the planning adjusted.
The enforcement offices will be informed about the status of planning on an ongoing basis so that they have sufficient time to plan the activities required for implementation and can then carry them out in good time – with support from the digiFIT project.
By utilising integrated, digitalised and validated processes, the new ASAL 2.0 payment system aims to speed up processing of unemployment insurance, reduce administrative errors and improve legal compliance. To achieve these goals, extensive use is being made of the benefits of digitalisation. The focus is on the following aspects:
• Online services for insured persons: In future, insured persons will be able to make enquiries and consult their data and documents online. The system will allow automatic processing of most of the data uploaded to the portal by the job-seeker.
• Digitalisation of data management: when correspondence is received in the post, the data will be systematically digitalised and registered in the system using a text recognition tool with an advanced data analysis function.
• Integrated processing: in future, users will be guided through the ASAL system by harmonised processes, without redundancies or the need to switch to different systems. Both beneficiaries and third parties will be integrated into the process. In addition, the system will have strong software to detect abuse and ensure compliance.
• Digitalisation of data output: information and documents aimed at beneficiaries and third parties will also be available digitally. It will no longer be necessary for the insurance funds and regional employment centres to sign the documents produced, so they can be transmitted directly to users.
The support provided by the new system will, in the medium to long term, reduce the administrative workload of unemployment insurance funds. Interaction of the various functions of ASAL 2.0 will simplify their day-to-day work.
