Kela will introduce a new general social security benefit on 1 May 2026. The general social security benefit will replace the labour market subsidy and the basic unemployment allowance paid on the basis of unemployment. The change does not affect the earnings-related allowance. The conditions for receiving the earnings-related allowance, its amount and payment will remain unchanged.
The general social security benefit is paid to an unemployed jobseeker who is not entitled to the earnings-related allowance. The level of the benefit corresponds to the current unemployment benefits paid by Kela, i.e. approximately EUR 800 per month in 2026.
When can you receive earnings-related allowance?
You can receive earnings-related allowance if you are a member of an unemployment fund and become unemployed or laid off.
As the name suggests, it is an income-related benefit, the amount of which is calculated based on the wages you earned before unemployment or lay-off. The allowance is paid by the unemployment fund once all eligibility conditions are met and you submit your application within the deadline.
The earnings-related allowance is not means-tested, meaning that your or your family’s assets and financial situation do not affect the amount of the allowance or your entitlement to it.
When can you receive Kela’s general social security benefit?
You can receive Kela’s general social security benefit if you are not entitled to the earnings-related allowance. This may be the case, for example, if you are not a member of an unemployment fund or if you have already received the earnings-related allowance for the maximum period from the fund.
To receive the benefit, you must meet the same general labour policy conditions as for the earnings-related allowance: you must be registered as a jobseeker and actively seek work, you must be aged 18–64, and you must be permanently resident in Finland.
The benefit is paid without a maximum duration for as long as your unemployment continues.
Unlike the earnings-related allowance, Kela’s general social security benefit is means-tested. This means that various types of income and benefits affect the amount paid. For example, wage income, capital income and some benefits may reduce the amount of the benefit. A partial early old-age pension, among other things, reduces the benefit if its amount exceeds the monthly income limit of EUR 311.
In some situations, a waiting period of 21 weeks may apply if you do not have a post-comprehensive or post-upper secondary qualification that provides vocational skills. However, there is no waiting period if you apply for the benefit directly after the maximum period of the earnings-related allowance.
What does the change mean for you?
- If you are a member of an unemployment fund and meet the conditions, you will continue to receive earnings-related allowance as before.
- If you are not entitled to the earnings-related allowance, you can apply for Kela’s general social security benefit.
More information:
You can find up-to-date information on the earnings-related allowance on the A-kassa website and on the general social security benefit from Kela.