Many people have the same questions about unemployment fund membership and unemployment security. We have compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
When are you entitled to earnings-related unemployment allowance?
You may be entitled to earnings-related unemployment allowance once you have fulfilled the employment condition while being a member of an unemployment fund. Your job search must also be valid, and the other conditions for earnings-related unemployment allowance must be met.
If you become unemployed, you should register as a jobseeker no later than your first day of unemployment. Read more about the membership and employment conditions for earnings-related allowance.
How long do you have to work to receive earnings-related unemployment allowance?
As a rule, the employment condition for earnings-related unemployment allowance is fulfilled after 12 employment condition months. The employment condition accrues on the basis of salary paid.
The employment condition can usually be accrued only while you are a member of an unemployment fund. It is therefore advisable to join A-kassa while you are still employed. Read more about the membership and employment conditions.
How is earnings-related allowance calculated?
Earnings-related unemployment allowance is calculated on the basis of the wage income included in the employment condition. The allowance consists of a basic component and an earnings-related component based on your previous salary.
The final amount may be affected by factors such as other income, part-time work and the staggering of earnings-related allowance. You can estimate the amount of your allowance using A-kassa’s daily allowance calculator.
Read more about how the amount of earnings-related allowance is calculated.
How long is earnings-related allowance paid?
The maximum payment period for earnings-related unemployment allowance is usually 300 or 400 benefit days. The length of the maximum period depends on the person’s employment history.
In certain situations, a person aged 58 or older may receive earnings-related unemployment allowance for a maximum of 500 days. Check the maximum payment period and the conditions that apply to your situation.
Which unemployment fund should you belong to?
Which unemployment fund is the best?
There is no single unemployment fund that is best for everyone. The most suitable fund depends on whether you particularly value a low membership fee, easy-to-use services, fast service or member services that support job search. Cooperation with a trade union is also important to many people. See A-kassa’s partner unions.
When choosing an unemployment fund, it is worth comparing membership fees, membership requirements, online services and other services offered to members.
The amount of earnings-related unemployment allowance is calculated by all employee unemployment funds in accordance with the same legislation. The choice of fund therefore does not affect the amount of allowance paid on the basis of the same salary.
Any wage-earner can join A-kassa, regardless of industry or occupation.
Complete your A-kassa membership by joining the trade union in your field. Trade unions provide security in working life – at A-kassa, we at A-kassa provide security in case of unemployment.
Can you change unemployment funds?
You can change unemployment funds during your working career. It is advisable to join the new fund before leaving the old one so that there is no gap between the memberships.
When the change is made within the 30-day time limit, previously accrued membership and employment condition months can usually be taken into account by the new fund.
When joining A-kassa, you can authorize us to notify the previous fund of your resignation.
On the membership application, you can state the date from which you would like your membership to begin. For example, you can submit the membership application in December if you wish to change funds from the beginning of January. Please make sure that you pay your membership fee to your previous fund up to the date your membership ends so that your membership transfers to A-kassa without interruption.
Can mobility allowance be granted retroactively?
You can apply for mobility allowance after the employment or work-related training has started. However, the application must be submitted no later than three months after the start of the employment or training.
You should not leave the application until the last possible moment, as a late application may not be accepted. Check the application period and other conditions for mobility allowance.
How does mobility allowance help you accept work?
Mobility allowance is intended to help cover the costs caused by a long commute or moving because of work. It may make it easier to accept a job located further away from your place of residence.
Read about the amount, duration and conditions of mobility allowance before applying.
See also Part 1 of the FAQ series and the Frequently Asked Questions page.