Introduction
In the Kingdom Saudi Arabia, the General Organization for Social Insurance which is GOSI is the main governmental body responsible for providing social insurance and protection to employees covering workplace injuries occupational hazards disability death benefits unemployment insurance for Saudis and pensions.
Whether you are an employee employer or family member of a worker knowing how to claim your insurance benefits properly can make a big difference in getting rightful compensation and support. This article guides you through all the steps to claim various types of GOSI insurance benefits: from work-injury claims to unemployment (SANED), death benefits, and more.
What is GOSI & What Insurance Does It Provide in Saudi Arabia
Who is covered
- For Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s nationals: GOSI (general organization for social insurance) covers pensions unemployment (SANED) occupational hazard or injury insurance and social insurance.
- For non-Saudi or expatriate workers: GOSI (general organization for social insurance) primarily covers occupational hazards and work injury insurance. Their employer contributes the expatriates themselves usually do not contribute toward pension.
What benefits GOSI offers
- Work injury or Occupational Hazards: Medical care treatment compensation for temporary disability permanent disability compensation or lump sum or survivor benefits in case of death from work related accident.
- Unemployment Insurance (SANED): For Kingdom Saudi employees who involuntarily lose their job. Provides temporary financial support under defined eligibility conditions.
- Pension, Annuities or Survivor Benefits: For Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s nationals’ retirement pensions or survivor pensions for dependents in case of death.
Given this range, “claiming insurance” from GOSI can refer to different benefit types — each with specific procedures. Below are the main categories and how to claim each.
Types of GOSI Claims & When to Use Each
| Claim Type | When to Use | Who Can Claim |
| Work Injury / Occupational Hazards | If a worker is injured at work or suffers occupational disease / hazard | The injured worker (if alive), or beneficiaries/family in case of permanent disability or death |
| Unemployment Insurance (SANED) | If a Saudi employee loses job involuntarily, meets contribution requirements | Saudi employee — not for expatriates |
| Death / Survivor Benefits / Disability Pension | If a contributor dies or becomes disabled — or for retirement pension (for Saudis) | Surviving family / beneficiaries (for death), or insured employee (for disability, retirement) |
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Work-Injury / Occupational Hazards Benefits
1. Report the Injury Immediately
- As per GOSI regulation, the injury must be reported by the employer to GOSI or the approved treatment body within 3 days of when the worker notifies the employer or when employer becomes aware.
- The worker must already have been registered with GOSI before the date of injury to be eligible.
2. Seek Treatment and Document Everything
- Treatment must be obtained at a GOSI-approved medical center. Hospitals can enter treatment details via GOSI Online portal.
- Keep medical reports admission or discharge certificates prescriptions bills and any documents related to the accident for example accident report hospital notice.
3. File Claim or Employer Submits Claim
- Once treatment is completed (or stabilized), employer or treatment facility must close the injury file (via GOSI Form No. 10 or 11, depending on case).
- If injury leads to temporary disability, worker may get daily allowance equal to full wage for first 60 days, then 75% of wage until recovery.
- In case of permanent disability or death, GOSI medical board will assess and approve lump-sum compensation or survivor benefits/pension accordingly.
4. Follow Up / Appeals if Needed
- If you disagree with GOSI’s decision (on injury eligibility, compensation amount, disability rating), you may appeal: first to GOSI’s Primary Medical Board, then to its Appeal Medical Board.
- Keep all correspondence, reference numbers, medical reports — to support your appeal.
How to Claim Unemployment Insurance (SANED) — For Saudi Employees Only
If you are Saudi and lost your job involuntarily, here’s how to claim SANED benefits:
- Check eligibility: You must have contributed to GOSI for a minimum period (as per law / regulations) before job loss.
- Go to GOSI portal (or related government portal) → “Unemployment Insurance (SANED)” section.
- Submit request: Fill in required info (often including bank IBAN for payment), agree to declaration, and submit.
- Wait for confirmation: GOSI will notify you via SMS / portal update about acceptance and payment status.
- If eligible, benefit payment begins. If not, check eligibility or reasons (voluntary resignation, misconduct, etc., may disqualify).
Claiming Death / Survivor Benefits or Disability / Pension
If a GOSI-contributor dies or becomes permanently disabled (or for retirement pension if eligible), the beneficiaries or the contributor (in case of disability/retirement) must follow these steps:
- Obtain necessary documents: death certificate (for death), medical report / disability proof, legal heir certificate (if claim by family), or employment history.
- Fill required forms: for example, “Form No. 31/Pensions” for survivor benefits.
- Submit application to GOSI: (via branch office or online where applicable), including bank account details for benefit transfer.
- GOSI reviews and approves payment — monthly pension (for Saudis) / lump-sum or periodic benefit (for disability/death) depending on case.
How to Get GOSI Certificate / Contribution History (Often Needed for Claims or Verifications)
Sometimes you need to obtain a certificate showing your GOSI registration, wages or contribution history — useful for benefit claims, visa, loan or employment processes.
- Go to GOSI’s official website or use the “Taminaty” app.
- Log in (with Iqama / employee credentials), navigate to “Certificates” section and choose needed type (e.g. “Wage Certificate”, “Contribution Certificate”).
- Download or print the certificate. It is usually issued instantly if data is correct; the service is free.
- This certificate can support claims (injury, unemployment, death) by proving contribution history or active subscription.
What GOSI Does Not Cover (or Limitations)
- If the injury or disease is not “occupational” (i.e. not work-related), GOSI may reject claim. A medical board reviews and decides on eligibility.
- For expatriates, GOSI does not provide pension or SANED (unemployment) benefits in most cases — coverage usually limited to work injuries / occupational hazard insurance.
- Delayed reporting of injury or missing documentation (medical reports, employer notification) can lead to claim rejection.
- For SANED (unemployment) — certain disqualifying conditions apply (e.g. voluntary resignation, misconduct, refusal of job offer) per law.
Tips & Best Practices Before Claiming
- Keep all documents: as medical reports employer notifications wage certificates proof of employment and Iqama.
- Report work injuries immediately (within 3 days) and follow the employer’s duty to notify GOSI.
- Use official channels — always file claims and certificates via the official GOSI website / Taminaty app / authorized offices.
- Check subscription status and contribute history using GOSI portal — ensure you or your employer have been contributing and you appear as “active contributor.”
- For expatriates, understand that long-term benefits (pension, SANED) typically don’t apply — you rely mainly on occupational hazard / injury cover.
- For families / beneficiaries — maintain legal heir documents, death certificate, and any required forms; ensure you have proper bank details for benefit transfers.
Conclusion
The General Organization for Social Insurance which is GOSI serves as a critical social safety net in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia safeguarding workers and their families against workplace accidents job loss disability death and providing social insurance for eligible Saudi nationals.
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Claiming insurance from GOSI is a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps and meet eligibility criteria. Whether it’s a work-injury claim, unemployment support (SANED), disability pension or survivor benefits — prepare the right documentation, act promptly, and use the official GOSI portal or app.
For expatriate workers, GOSI’s main benefit is occupational hazards / injury compensation — but it’s still a valuable protection. For Saudi nationals, the full suite (pension, SANED, injury, death) offers real security.
Understanding your rights and the claim process ensures you (or your loved ones) receive what you’re entitled to — fairly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I am an expatriate worker. Can I claim pension or unemployment benefits from GOSI?
A: Generally no. For non-Saudi (expatriate) employees, GOSI coverage is limited to occupational hazard / work-injury insurance. Pension and unemployment (SANED) benefits are mostly reserved for Saudi contributors.
Q: How soon must I report a work injury to GOSI to be eligible for compensation?
A: The employer must notify GOSI (or approved treatment body) within 3 days of being informed about the injury. Failure to report in that time could invalidate the claim.
Q: What documents are needed to claim survivor benefits (in case of death)?
A: Typically: death certificate; legal heir / beneficiary document (listing heirs); proof that deceased was supporting the beneficiary; in some cases, school certificate (for dependent children above a certain age), marriage certificate for spouse, and bank account for transfer.
Q: I lost my job (not my fault) — can I get SANED benefits immediately?
A: If you are Saudi and meet contribution eligibility requirements under SANED program, you can apply online via GOSI portal.Q: How can I get proof of my GOSI contributions / wage history?
A: Log in to GOSI portal or use the “Taminaty” mobile app → go to “Certificates” → choose “Wage Certificate” or “Contribution Certificate” and download or print it for free.
READ MORE : Iqama KSA