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SWF Bridging Allowance

Support during periods when temporary workers are not on assignment.

bridging allowance

What is the bridging allowance?

The Social and Training Fund (SWF) supports temporary employment agencies when temporary workers are temporarily unable to work. This period is referred to as downtime.

The temporary employment agency continues to pay the temporary worker's wages or salary during this period.

The SWF provides support and later reimburses 154% of the gross wages.

This applies up to the legal maximum limit.

Important: Vacation, sick leave, time off in lieu, or short-time work allowance are not included in the calculation.

There are three types of support:

a) 1–10 working days of downtime + 15 working days of retention period

b) 11–15 working days' standby period + 20 working days' retention period

c) 16–20 working days standby period + 25 working days retention period

 

Who can apply for bridging allowance?

The temporary employment agency (AKÜ) can apply.

Prerequisite: It must have paid the SWF contributions in full and on time.

An application can be submitted several times a year – for each temporary worker, provided that all conditions are met.

 

Requirements for funding

The temporary worker must have been employed for at least one month prior to the standstill period.

After the standby period, the temporary worker must continue to be employed for the duration of the retention period.

A short interruption (max. 1 day) is permitted if an assignment has not worked out.

The entitlement remains valid even if the temporary worker resigns or is dismissed.

The retention period of a previous application must not overlap with the next month of employment.

 

How do I submit an application?

The application can be easily submitted online via "My SWF" (SWF service portal).

The application must be submitted within 6 months of the end of the standstill period.

 

Payment

The SWF pays the money to the AKÜ retrospectively.

This only happens once all conditions have been checked.

In addition, funding limits and de minimis rules must be observed.

 

Further information

➤ You can find more information in § 7 of the SWF Performance Regulations.

➤ Downloads: Checklist and process flow

What is the bridging allowance?

The Social and Further Education Fund (SWF) supports commercial temporary employment agencies during so-called stand-by period (Stehzeiten) (—i.e., periods when temporary workers cannot be deployed temporarily.

In each case, the SWF provides support amounting to 154% of the gross wage or salary paid to the temporary worker during this stand-by period (Stehzeit) – including allowances and supplements that can be cut, but only up to the amount of the statutory maximum contribution base (§ 45 ASVG). Non-working hours (vacation, sick leave, time off in lieu, etc.) and periods for which the temporary worker receives a (guaranteed) net replacement rate from short-time work are not included in the calculation basis. 

There are three eligible variants:

  1. 1-10 working days stand-by period (Stehzeit) + 15 working days retention period (Behaltefrist)

  2. 11-15 working days stand-by period (Stehzeit) + 20 working days retention period (Behaltefrist)

  3. 16-20 working days stand-by period (Stehzeit) + 25 working days retention period (Behaltefrist)

Who can apply for the bridging allowance?

Commercial temporary employment agencies that have paid their contributions to the SWF in full and on time in accordance with Section 22d of the AÜG are eligible for support. Support can be applied for several times per calendar year and per temporary worker, provided that the requirements are met.

 

What requirements must be met?

  • The temporary worker's employment/service relationship must have existed for at least one month before the start of the retention period (month of employment).

  • Even after the standby period, the employment/service relationship must continue to exist during the intended retention period (Behaltefrist).

  • A brief interruption of the stand-by period (Stehzeit) due to an unsuccessful attempt to place the temporary worker (max. 1 working day) is harmless.

  • The entitlement remains valid even in the event of justified dismissal, unjustified resignation, or termination by the temporary worker before the end of the retention period.

  • The retention period of a previous application may not overlap with the month of employment of a new standby period.

How do I submit an application?

The subsidy can be applied for easily and without red tape via "Mein SWF" (SWF service portal) within six months of the end of the stand-by period.

How is the payment made?

Payment is made retrospectively to the temporary employment agency – and only after all conditions have been successfully checked. It must be ensured that both the company-related subsidy limits and the de minimis limit are complied with.

Please refer to § 7 of the SWF Benefits Regulations for details. (Link)

Downloads: Checklist and process flow 

Helpful downloads for the application process