Best Social Security Lawyers in Arlesheim

About Social Security Law in Arlesheim, Switzerland

Switzerland has a comprehensive social security system that is largely regulated at the federal level and administered through cantonal and local bodies. Residents of Arlesheim in the canton of Basel-Landschaft interact with both federal schemes and cantonal offices for applications, benefits, and disputes.

The core branches include old age and survivors insurance AHV or AVS, disability insurance IV or AI, accident insurance UVG or LAA, unemployment insurance ALV or AC, health insurance KVG or LAMal, loss of earnings compensation EO or APG, family allowances FamZG, occupational pensions BVG or LPP second pillar, and supplementary benefits EL or PC. In addition, need-based social assistance is governed by cantonal law in Basel-Landschaft and delivered locally through the municipal social services.

Because the system is interconnected, a change in your work status, health, or family situation can affect several benefits at once. Understanding who is competent for what and how deadlines work is essential to protect your rights.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You might benefit from legal help when a benefit is denied or reduced. Common examples are denials of IV disability pensions, UVG accident benefits, or ALV unemployment allowances due to alleged lack of availability for work or sanctions.

Medical and vocational assessments are often decisive. If you disagree with an insurer’s assessment of your work capacity, a lawyer can challenge expert reports, request independent evaluations, and gather treating physician evidence.

Contribution and coverage questions arise for self-employed persons, cross-border commuters, students, and people with multiple part-time jobs. A lawyer can clarify affiliation to the correct scheme and contribution obligations.

Overpayment recovery and revision proceedings are frequent. If an office claims you were overpaid and demands repayment, legal advice can test whether the recovery is lawful and whether waiver is possible.

Coordination of benefits is complex. Issues include how AHV, BVG, and private insurances interact, how EL is calculated, and how foreign insurance periods under EU or EFTA rules count toward Swiss benefits.

Appeals are deadline-driven. Most social insurance decisions must be challenged within 30 days. A lawyer ensures timely Einsprache objection and appeal filings with the required arguments and evidence.

Local Laws Overview

Key federal acts apply throughout Switzerland. The General Part of Social Insurance Law ATSG sets common rules for procedure, time limits, calculation, and coordination. Specific statutes include AHVG old age and survivors, IVG disability, UVG accident, KVG health, AVIG unemployment, BVG occupational pensions, EOG loss of earnings, ELG supplementary benefits, and FamZG family allowances.

In Basel-Landschaft, cantonal implementation and administration are handled by SVA Basel-Landschaft the cantonal compensation office, the IV office IV-Stelle Basel-Landschaft, the regional employment centers RAV under the cantonal Office for Economy and Labor, and the municipal social services. Health premium subsidies Prämienverbilligung are granted by the canton based on taxable income and are usually assessed using recent tax data.

Decisions on federal social insurance claims are first issued by the competent insurer or office for example, SVA for AHV and family allowances, IV-Stelle for IV benefits, accident insurer such as SUVA or a private UVG insurer, health insurer for KVG matters, unemployment fund and RAV for ALV. You generally have 30 days from receipt to file an Einsprache objection with the issuing body. If that is rejected, you can appeal to the Kantonsgericht Basel-Landschaft Social Insurance Law division. A further appeal to the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne is possible on points of law within 30 days.

Social assistance under the Basel-Landschaft Social Assistance Act provides last-resort support when social insurance and personal means are insufficient. It is administered by the municipality Sozialdienst and follows SKOS guidance while considering cantonal rules.

Language of proceedings in Basel-Landschaft is German. You may act on your own, but professional representation can be helpful. Legal aid unentgeltliche Rechtspflege may be available in court if you lack means and your case has reasonable prospects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits are part of Swiss social security for someone living in Arlesheim

The main benefits are AHV old age and survivors pensions, IV disability pensions or daily allowances, UVG accident treatment and daily allowances, ALV unemployment compensation, EO loss of earnings for military service and parental benefits, family allowances, KVG mandatory health insurance with possible premium subsidies, BVG occupational pensions through your employer, and EL supplementary benefits if AHV or IV pensions are not enough to cover basic needs.

Where do I apply for AHV or disability benefits if I live in Arlesheim

AHV old age and survivors claims and most contribution matters are handled by SVA Basel-Landschaft the cantonal compensation office. Disability IV claims are filed with the IV-Stelle Basel-Landschaft. Your municipal office and the SVA can tell you which forms and medical documents are needed.

When should I file for my AHV old age pension

Normal retirement age currently applies according to federal law and is being phased with the AHV 21 reform. You can apply for an early pension or defer it within the permitted range, which changes the monthly amount. File several months before your intended start date so your pension begins on time.

What if the IV office denies my disability claim

You will receive a written decision with reasons. You have 30 days to file an Einsprache objection with the IV office. If that is dismissed, you can appeal to the Kantonsgericht Basel-Landschaft. Include medical records and, if possible, supportive opinions from treating doctors. A lawyer can structure the appeal and request an independent expert assessment.

How do unemployment benefits work for Arlesheim residents

Register with a Regional Employment Center RAV in Basel-Landschaft as soon as you know your job will end, and no later than your first day of unemployment. You must satisfy contribution, residence, and availability conditions. Daily allowances Taggelder depend on insured salary and family status. Sanctions can apply for misconduct or insufficient job search, but they can be contested.

I had an accident. Who pays for treatment and income loss

If you are employed at least 8 hours a week with one employer, you are covered by mandatory accident insurance UVG for occupational and non-occupational accidents. The UVG insurer pays medical treatment and daily allowances after a waiting period. Disputes about causality, degree of incapacity, or benefits are common and can be appealed within 30 days.

What are supplementary benefits EL and who can get them

EL help AHV or IV pensioners whose recognized essential expenses exceed their recognized income. The canton calculates EL based on rent caps, health costs, and income. Apply through SVA Basel-Landschaft. Decisions can be appealed within 30 days.

Can I get a subsidy for my health insurance premiums

Yes, Basel-Landschaft grants premium reductions Prämienverbilligung based on income and family situation. Eligibility is determined from tax data. Applications are usually made annually through the cantonal system, and decisions are appealable.

I work in Basel city but live in Arlesheim. Does that change where I claim benefits

Residence usually determines which cantonal office handles your AHV, IV, EL, and subsidies, so as an Arlesheim resident you use Basel-Landschaft offices. For unemployment you register with a RAV in Basel-Landschaft. Accident and occupational pension matters are tied to your employer’s insurers regardless of where you live.

What deadlines apply if I want to challenge a social insurance decision

Most Einsprache objections must be filed within 30 days of receiving the decision. The same 30-day limit generally applies for court appeals. Missing a deadline can end your case, so act quickly and keep the envelope or delivery proof showing the date of receipt.

Additional Resources

SVA Basel-Landschaft Ausgleichskasse and Familienausgleichskasse Handles AHV or AVS, contributions, family allowances, and supplementary benefits EL. Provides information on premium subsidies and employer or self-employed registration.

IV-Stelle Basel-Landschaft Handles disability insurance applications, integration measures, medical and vocational assessments, and decisions on IV pensions.

Regional Employment Centers RAV Basel-Landschaft and unemployment funds Provide registration, counseling, job placement, and payment of ALV daily allowances. Overseen by the cantonal Office for Economy and Labor.

SUVA or your employer’s UVG accident insurer Handles occupational and non-occupational accident claims, medical treatment coverage, daily allowances, and disability or impairment benefits.

Municipal Social Services Sozialdienst Arlesheim Provides last-resort social assistance, budgeting help, and guidance on interfacing with SVA and other offices.

Federal Social Insurance Office BSV Offers nationwide guidance on social insurance rules and reforms, including coordination with EU or EFTA systems.

Pro Senectute beider Basel Advisory services for older adults on AHV, EL, and budgeting.

Pro Infirmis and Inclusion Handicap Support for persons with disabilities, including advice on IV, accessibility, and workplace integration.

Caritas beider Basel and local debt counseling services Support with financial hardship, debt management, and social assistance navigation.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Identify whether your matter concerns AHV, IV, accident insurance, unemployment, EL, health premium subsidies, or social assistance. This determines the competent office and the rules that apply.

Collect documents. Gather identity documents, residence confirmation, employment contracts, pay slips, termination letters, medical reports, insurer letters, and any prior decisions. Keep all envelopes and delivery receipts to track deadlines.

Check the decision and the time limit. If you received a negative or partial decision, note the 30-day objection period. Start drafting your Einsprache immediately and request access to the file Akteneinsicht if needed.

Contact the competent office. For AHV, EL, and family allowances contact SVA Basel-Landschaft. For disability contact IV-Stelle Basel-Landschaft. For unemployment register with a RAV. For accidents contact the UVG insurer. For social assistance contact Sozialdienst Arlesheim.

Consider legal advice early. A lawyer experienced in Swiss social insurance law Sozialversicherungsrecht can assess prospects, frame the medical and legal issues, and file timely objections and appeals. Ask about costs, fixed fees, and whether your legal protection insurance Rechtsschutzversicherung covers the matter.

Ask about legal aid. If you need to go to court and cannot afford a lawyer, inquire with the Kantonsgericht Basel-Landschaft about unentgeltliche Rechtspflege. You must show financial need and a case with reasonable chances.

Keep communicating. Inform offices about changes in address, income, or health. Missed appointments or incomplete information can lead to sanctions or benefit reductions. Request written confirmations for submissions and meetings.

Monitor coordination of benefits. If you receive multiple benefits for example IV, EL, and accident daily allowances make sure they are correctly coordinated. A lawyer or a specialized advisory service can check calculations and prevent overpayments.

If you need representation, select a local lawyer with social insurance expertise. Prepare a short chronology and a document list to make the first consultation efficient. Bring all correspondence and decisions to the meeting.

Act early and keep records. The earlier you seek advice and the better your documentation, the higher your chances of a correct and timely outcome.