Today, the system is built for short, predictable illnesses, such as winter vomiting or tonsillitis. But for parents or families where children need to undergo cancer treatment, life looks completely different, says Minister for Social Insurance Anna Tenje (M).
The parents of these children must repeatedly apply for temporary parental benefit, VAB, from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, which creates a stressful situation, according to Tenje.
The government is now instructing the Swedish Social Insurance Agency to shorten processing times, increase predictability and make it easier for parents who apply for VAB when children are seriously ill.
This may involve making compensation decisions in advance in the event of long-term illness to avoid repeated applications.
So that a parent knows what they will get from the start, says Tenje.
This affects around 7,000 children each year. The assignment is to be reported in April 2027.
