SANED is Saudi Arabia's unemployment insurance scheme, run by the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI). It pays Saudi employees a temporary monthly benefit if they lose their job for a reason that is not their fault. Here is who qualifies, how much is paid, for how long, and how it relates to your rights against the employer.
Reviewed by: Ahmed Hasan AlShehriAttorney at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
How much SANED pays
| Period | Benefit | Monthly cap |
|---|---|---|
| First three months | 60% of average monthly contributory wage | SAR 9,000 |
| Each month after | 50% of the same average | SAR 7,500 |
The benefit is paid for up to 12 months, continuous or not, within 24 months for each entitlement.
Who qualifies
- Saudi nationals only.
- Not having left the job voluntarily (resignation).
- Not dismissed for a reason attributable to the employee.
- No income from work or a business, and able to work.
- Enough contributions: for the first claim at least 12 months within the 36 months before the claim; 18 months for the second; 24 for the third.
How to claim
Apply electronically through GOSI's services within 90 days of leaving work. SANED is funded by a contribution, currently 1.5% of the contributory wage, split equally between employer and employee.
SANED does not replace your rights against the employer
Your end-of-service award, unpaid wages, leave pay and compensation for unlawful dismissal are separate rights. If your employer records your exit as a "resignation" when you were in fact dismissed, it can cost you both SANED and part of your award, so do not sign a resignation or release before you understand its effect. See the end-of-service calculator and filing a labour case.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone who resigned claim SANED?
No. One of the conditions is that the employee did not leave voluntarily.
Does SANED cover non-Saudis?
No, it is for Saudi nationals.
Usus Law Firm handles labour cases from amicable settlement to the Labour Court. See our employment lawyer in Riyadh.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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