I became unemployed
What should I do if I become unemployed? How can I receive earnings-related unemployment allowance? This guide explains how to apply for earnings-related unemployment allowance, what requirements you must meet, and how to proceed through the application process step by step.
If you are about to become unemployed or if you are being laid off, please review the instructions below
Requirements in brief
You may be entitled to earnings‑related daily allowance if the following conditions are met:
- You are between 18 and 64 years old. In certain situations, the allowance can also be paid to persons aged 65–68, if the situation is comparable to a layoff or is an actual layoff
- You have registered as an unemployed jobseeker with the employment authorities and you are seeking full‑time work
- You have been a member of the unemployment fund for at least 12 months. Note: Due to a legislative change, the membership requirement was extended to 12 months as of 2 September 2024
- You have fulfilled the employment condition while being a member of the unemployment fund.
The right to earnings‑related daily allowance can only arise for periods during which your job search is active. Job search cannot be activated retroactively. Therefore, it is important to remember to register as an unemployed jobseeker seeking full‑time work with the employment authorities no later than on your first day of unemployment. You may also register in advance as an unemployed jobseeker when you receive notice of an upcoming unemployment period.
Step‑by‑Step instructions
- Register as an unemployed jobseeker on the Työmarkkinatori service no later than on your first day of unemployment or layoff.
- Review in advance which attachments must be submitted with your earnings‑related daily allowance application.
- Submit your first application for earnings‑related allowance no earlier than after you have been unemployed for two full calendar weeks (Mon–Sun). The fastest way to submit the application is through Otenetti. Fill in the application carefully and attach all required documents. Apply for unemployment allowance within 3 months.
- You can follow the general processing situation on the front page of the fund’s website. If your application should already have entered processing, you can check the status of your own application in Otenetti under Application Tracking. We primarily request any additional information via an Otenetti message.
- Wait for the decision and the payment notification.
Attachments
The attachments required for your application depend on your individual situation, as applicants’ circumstances vary greatly. The most commonly required attachments include:
- Employment contract, showing the essential terms of employment (agreed weekly working hours, teaching obligation or full‑time hours, basis of salary, duration of the employment relationship)
- Notice of termination or layoff, or another explanation of a change in working hours
- Decision on any concurrent pension or other benefit, as well as the most recent notice of the benefit amount
- Form regarding the child home care allowance paid to your spouse
- Most recent confirmed personal tax decision with itemization (for part‑time entrepreneurs; not the company’s tax decision). Business activities must also be reported to the employment authorities.
- Weekly working hours report, if your work has been part‑time and the number of hours has varied. A separate weekly hours report is required for each employment relationship.
- Copies of payslips, if the information in the Incomes Register is not sufficient.
For more detailed information about the right to earnings‑related daily allowance, please visit our website under the section ‘Right to Earnings‑Related Daily Allowance.”
