Sweden starts monthly checks on benefit recipients’ right to stay

Sweden’s payment-control agency has begun checking benefits against residence-permit information every month to identify payments made after a person’s right to stay has ended.

Utbetalningsmyndigheten, known as UBM, said on Wednesday that the check had moved into regular use after testing its accuracy. It compares Migration Agency permit records with payment data.

The checks concern benefits administered by Försäkringskassan, the Public Employment Service, the Pensions Agency and unemployment insurance funds where the right to remain in Sweden is an eligibility condition.

So far, UBM has sent 148 notifications of suspected incorrect payments. These are referrals for investigation, not findings of fraud. The organisation responsible for each payment must investigate and decide whether any action is necessary.

UBM director-general Per Eleblad said the checks provide the paying authorities and unemployment funds with information to assess whether payments are correct. The monthly comparison is one of six checks the agency now runs regularly.

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