Unemployment Kela

8/19/2019 Unemployment Kela

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Unemployment Benets for the unemployed



Contents

Unemployment 1

Benets for the unemployed 2

When you become unemployed 2

Unemployment allowance 2

Labour market subsidy 4

Integration assistance for immigrants 5

Financial assistance for unemployed persons

undergoing training 6Assistance for the older unemployed 6

Application and payment 7

Appealing a decision 7

Kela is at your service 8



1

Unemployment benetsKela’s benets provide people with basicsecurity when their other income falls.In this brochure, we explain what kind ofnancial support Kela gives to theunemployed.

There are many forms of support available.Therefore it is good to familiarise yourselfwith what other types of support areavailable to you from Kela.

These include, for example, general housingallowance.Kela grants support on the basis ofapplications.You can apply for support from Kela.

Application forms are available on theinternet and at Kela’s ofces.

www.kela./asiointi orwww.fpa./etjanst(in Finnish or in Swedish)

www.kela.fi/forms

The requirements you must meet to qualifyfor benets from Kela have been speciedin various legislative acts.

When Kela makes a decision about support,the applicant’s circumstances areconsidered individually.The circumstances of applicants and theirneed for support can vary a great deal.Therefore, the amount of support givenvaries too.

This brochure explains the main issuesconcerning the support available for theunemployed in 2015.

It does not include all the details of thedifferent types of benets.

If you want to nd out the exact amountsof unemployment benets and the variousincome limits applicable to them, please goto www.kela./unemployment.

You can also ask Kela for a supplement tothis brochure, which contains the sameinformation.



2

Kela’s benets for the unemployedUnemployment makes income smaller.Kela looks after the basic security of thosewithout a job during their period ofunemployment.

Unemployment benets are paid to peopleliving permanently in Finland as well as tothose who come from other EU countriesand who have last worked in Finland.

Financial assistance during a period ofunemployment is provided in the form of • unemployment allowance• labour market subsidy.

When you become unemployed

When you become unemployed, registerimmediately as an unemployed jobseeker atthe Employment and Economic Develop-ment Ofce (TE Ofce).Unemployment benets are paid onlyduring the period that you are listed as a jobseeker (looking for a job) at the TEOfce.The Ofce also gives Kela a certicateabout whether or not you meet therequirements for the payment of benets.During your period of unemployment, youhave the obligation to actively look forwork.You should also take up work or trainingoffered to you.You cannot say no to it without reason – if you do so, the result may be loss of the right

to benets.

Register regularly at the Employment andEconomic Development Ofce (TE Ofce).

Unemployment allowance

Unemployment allowance can be anearnings-related allowance (an allowancebased on the money you make) or a basicallowance.Unemployment allowance is paid undercertain conditions also for job search inanother country.

Earnings-related unemployment allowance

Earnings-related unemployment allowanceis paid by the unemployment fund where you are a member.For example, labour unions often havetheir own unemployment funds.Kela does not pay earnings-relatedunemployment allowance, and you do notapply for it to Kela.Earnings-related unemployment allowancecan be paid if you have been an unemploy-ment fund member long enough and youmeet a work requirement.The amount of the earnings-relatedunemployment allowance is calculated inkeeping with your earnings – the money you make – and it is paid for a maximum of500 days.Ask for more information about theearnings-related unemployment allowancefrom your own unemployment fund or theFederation of Unemployment Funds

( www.tyj.).



3

Basic unemployment allowance

If you are not an unemployment fundmember and cannot get an earnings-relatedunemployment allowance, Kela will pay you a basic unemployment allowance.It is paid for a maximum of 500 days.

The basic unemployment allowance is EUR32.80 per day, and it is paid for 5 days aweek.If you have any children, you get a childincrease (EUR 5.29–10.02 a day, dependingon the number of children).You pay taxes on the basic unemploymentallowance.

Work requirement

To qualify for basic unemploymentallowance, you must meet a workrequirement.It is met if • you have been at work for at least 26

weeks during the past 28 months• your work time has been at least 18

hours a week • your salary has been according to

collective work agreement or at leastEUR 1,165 per month (in 2015).

Working periods in some other EU/EEA(European Economic Area) country orSwitzerland can also be accepted.

The period within which you must meetthe work requirement can be longer than 28months if you have been ill, have studied orhave looked after a child of your own whois under 3 years old, or if you have

participated in actions organized by a TEOfce (Employment and EconomicDevelopment Ofce).

Self-employed people have their own workrequirement.If you are self-employed, contact Kela tond out the eligibility requirements for thebasic unemployment allowance.

Telephone our service number:

020 692 230, Monday to Fridayfrom 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Basic unemployment allowance increase ortransition assistance supplement

An increase to the basic unemploymentallowance can be paid in two situations:• for up to 90 days if you have been at

work for at least 20 yearsYou may not have resigned without agood reason or have caused thetermination of your employment.

• for up to 200 days if you take part inactivities organized by the Employmentand Economic Development Ofce (TEOfce).

The amount of the basic unemploymentallowance increase is EUR 4.80 euros perday.

Labour market subsidy

You can get labour market subsidy if youare an unemployed jobseeker aged 17–64who lives in Finland permanently.It is intended for unemployed persons whoare not eligible for earnings-related or basicunemployment allowance.

The time period for receiving labourmarket subsidy is not limited.



4

Who qualies for labour market subsidy?

You can get labour market subsidy even if you do not meet the work requirement, i.e. you haven’t been working long enough.After you have received earnings-related orbasic unemployment allowance for 500days, Kela may pay you labour marketsubsidy.

Labour market subsidies are not paidoutside Finland.

If you are under 25 years old, there arelimits on getting this aid which concerneducation and actions to promoteemployment.Contact the TE Ofce to nd out if you canget labour market subsidy.

How much is the labour market subsidy?

The labour market subsidy is exactly asmuch as the basic unemploymentallowance.It is sometimes affected by parentalincome.The labour market subsidyis EUR 32.80 a day.It is paid for 5 days a week.The subsidy is bigger if you have childrento look after.The full labour market subsidy isEUR 700–910 euros per month.An increase may also be paidto the labour market subsidy.

It is paid during a period agreed with theTE Ofce, but for no more than 200 days.The increase is EUR 4.80 euros per day.

You pay taxes on your labour marketsubsidy.

Other income makes the subsidy smaller

All your income reduces the total amountof the labour market subsidy.If you have income from capital, it alsoreduces the amount of the subsidy.

Parents’ income makes the subsidy smallerif you live with your parents.You always get at least half your labourmarket subsidy.Parental income does not make the subsidysmaller if you are participating in anactivity agreed with the TE Ofce.

Personal capital income does not affect thelabour market subsidy • during a period of 180 days after the

maximum period for basic orearnings-related unemploymentallowance (500 days)

• if you are 55 years of age or older and you fullled the work requirementbefore you became unemployed

• if you take part in an activity agreedwith the TE Ofce



5

Coordination of unemploymentbenet with earnings

If you have earnings while unemployed, besure to tell Kela about them.Any earnings you have are coordinatedwith your labour market subsidy or basicunemployment allowance.

However, you can earn up to EUR 300 permonth without it reducing your benet.

See more at www.kela./unemployment

Many types of aid do not affect thelabour market subsidy.These are, for example, child benet,child support, social assistance,housing allowance or disabilityallowance.

Financial assistancefor unemployed personsundergoing training

You have various options to apply fortraining designed for the unemployed andget support during that period.

By doing so, you can improve your chancesof nding work.Ask the TE Ofce for details.

Services that promote employment are, forexample:• labour market training• independent study • work preparation and career training• work experience placements• independent study by immigrant• rehabilitative work.

You can arrange to take part in theseschemes and make an employment planwith a TE Ofce.

You will normally receive unemploymentbenet when you take part in anemployment activity that you havearranged with a TE Ofce.

Also, you can get an increase in yoursupport, but for no more than 200 days.During the period of training and otheractivities, you can also get compensationfor your travel costs and other expenses.



6

Assistance for the olderunemployed

An older unemployed person can get extradays on the earnings-related or basicunemployment allowance and get ready forretirement.

Ask Kela if you can get extra days added to your unemployment benets.Unemployed persons born in 1950 or afterwho can get extra days can apply for aretirement pension when they are 62 yearsold.

Applying for unemploymentbenets

Firstly register as an unemployed jobseekerat an Employment and EconomicDevelopment Ofce (TE Ofce).Make an application to Kela when you havebeen unemployed for the qualifying period(5 working days).The application period for unemploymentbenets is 3 months.

You can apply for unemployment benetson Kela’s website.

You can also apply for assistance by llingin an application form you can get fromany Kela ofce or from Kela’s website.Deliver or send the lled-in applicationform to a local Kela ofce. Check theapplication dates.• See the application form for a list of the

documents you need to send with it.

Payment of allowances

When Kela has handled your application, you get a decision about the allowance sentto your home.The amount of the allowance, the criteriabased on which it is granted, and thepayment date are shown in the decision.You get a decision even if it is negative.

Kela pays the allowances to your bankaccount.



7

Unemployment status report

If unemployment continues, you must senda status report concerning the period ofunemployment to Kela at 4-week intervals.

You can do this via the Internet or onforms which you can get from Kela’swebpages or its ofces.You must indicate on which days you havebeen unemployed and on which days youhave participated in an activity arrangedwith the TE Ofce.

If, during the period of unemployment, youhave been at work occasionally, pleaseindicate on which days you have been atwork.

Kela will pay you unemployment benetbased on the report you send.

Appealing a decision

You can apply for a change to a Keladecision.There are instructions on how to appeal inthe attachment you get from Kela with yourdecision.





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Report all changes

If you receive a Kela benet, do rememberto inform us quickly if there are changes in your situation.These can be, for example, changes in yourhousing or family situation or changes inincome.

If you are unemployed, it is particularlyimportant that you tell us about yourincome. Those who are unemployed shouldreport their status to Kela every four weeks.

Recovery of overpayments

If Kela pays too much in benets because ofincorrect information, it must ask you topay back the overpayment.

The Overpayment Recovery Centre020 634 4940

Appealing a decision

You can apply for a change to a Keladecision.Instructions on how to appeal are providedwith each benet decision.If you have questions, please call thetelephone number below.

Support during unemployment020 692 213

Unemployment Benet Appeal BoardTelephone 0295 16001 www.ttlk.

Social Security Appeal BoardTelephone 0295 163 800 www.somla.



Kelan esitteet Kela brochures availablein English

Home and Family Benets for families with childrenand housing allowances

Health and RehabilitationCompensation for illness and daily allowances,rehabilitation and disability benets

Studying Financial support for students andallowances for military conscripts

UnemploymentFinancial support for the unemployed

Pensions and Retirement Pension security, housing allowance andcare allowance

Moving to or from FinlandHow to get into the Finnish social security system and what happens when you move fromFinland to another country

Brochures in printed and online format www.kela. /muutkieletsuomeksi | pa svenska | in English | Davvisamegiellaeesti keel |Pусский

Documents

Unemployment Kela