Can I claim Swiss welfare money when I live outside of Switzerland?

I am a Swiss citizen but grew up in the Philippines. My dad is Swiss, my mum is Filipina. Due to some habits I have, it has been hard for me to earn an income. Another Swiss person I met here told me that I you can get welfare payments from Switzerland as a Swiss person. It sounded like a lot of money. Is this actually possible? How do I claim it?

Hi there,

As a Swiss citizen residing abroad, you have the right to request Swiss welfare support through your local Swiss embassy or consulate. Once you have submitted necessary forms and documents, your request will be reviewed to determine whether it makes more sense to repatriate you to Switzerland or to support you in your country of residence.

The amount of time you have spent in your country of residence plays a key role in determining whether or not you can receive welfare payments there. If you have spent a significant amount of time in the country, you will normally be able to receive welfare support there rather than being repatriated to Switzerland. The size of welfare handouts is determined by your income, expenses, and the cost of living in your country of residence.

Best regards from Moneyguru

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