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My brother applied for welfare in Switzerland after he was unable to get a job by the time his unemployment insurance stopped paying benefits. He recently managed to find a job in a restaurant and is earning his own income again. Does he have to pay back the money he received from the social services?
Rules governing the repayment of welfare subsidies vary between cantons. In many cantons, you will be expected to pay back welfare subsidies you have received shortly after you begin earning a reasonable income and can realistically begin making repayments.
Some cantons, including Zurich and Geneva, normally only make you pay back welfare subsidies if you come into money through means other than employment. For example, you may be expected to pay back subsidies if you win a lot of money through the lottery or receive a large inheritance.
But there are exceptions, and even in these cantons you may be asked to repay welfare benefits you received in the past if you begin to earn an exceptionally high income.
In any case, no action needs to be taken unless you are specifically requested to make repayments.
