When a child is born, the parents are legally entitled to a total of twelve months paid leave from work, which can be shared between them and used any time before the child s eighth birthday. One of these months is reserved specifically for the father and is forfeited if he does not use it. The parents also receive tax-free child allowances, equal for everyone, until the child s 16th birthday. Children who then continue their education are entitled to study allowances. At university level these consist chiefly of repayable loans.
Municipalities provide children with day care and after-school activities at subsidized rates.
Under certain conditions low-income families and pensioners are eligible for housing allowances. A national occupational injury insurance system pays all health care costs for work-related accidents. Most working people in Sweden have unemployment insurance through their trade unions, while unemployed people without such coverage can receive a smaller cash benefit from the government. There are extensive government programs of employment training, sheltered employment and relocation grants to help the unemployed find new work. A basic old-age pension financed by both employees and employers is payable to everyone from the age of 65.