Since last summer, there has been state compensation for people in risk groups who cannot work from home.

These may be people who work in healthcare, school, public transport, shops and other professions that cannot be moved home.

The compensation is SEK 804 per day, and it has been possible to apply since the end of August.

"We prepared for 100,000 applications"

Prior to the change, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency counted on 100,000 applications for compensation, they built up a completely new form of social insurance and relocated employees to be able to handle all applications.

The result was significantly fewer.

By December, just over 10,000 applications had been received.

A total of approximately SEK 130 million has been paid out.

According to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, approximately 7,000 people have applied for the support, some have submitted more than one application.

- We prepared for 100,000 applications, but that did not happen, says Ola Kristiansson, unit manager at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

There is quite a big difference, what is the reason?

- Basically, we do not know who has not applied.

The prognosis was based from the beginning on how many people are in these health conditions, says Ola Kristiansson.

"Made a huge change in Sweden"

The question is what happened to those who did not apply.

Ola Kristiansson believes that some have solved their work situation, and that others may be found in other benefits.

- One can assume that many people have actually solved it with their employer.

We have made a huge change in Sweden, many have the opportunity to work remotely today and it may have meant that many have handled their situation and are not in need of compensation.

Do you think that some of them are on sick leave?

- There are certainly a lot of these people who are in other compensation systems, such as sickness benefits or sickness compensation, based on the fact that they are not only in a risk group but sick and thus lack the ability to work.

Then there are other insurances, they can be on parental leave and so on.

There is probably no answer to the question, people have solved it in different ways, says Ola Kristiansson.