If you are applying for daily allowance, please remember to send your 2024 tax decision to the fund
If you have part-time business activities that have been ongoing for a longer period or started no later than 1 July 2024, we need a copy of your personal tax decision for 2024. The taxation will be confirmed by 31 October 2025. We need the tax decision in order to process your application for November. […]
Time Limits to Keep in Mind
There are many things to keep in mind and remember to do when applying for earnings-related allowance, restructuring protection allowance, or mobility allowance. Many of these involve a specific time limit during which the action must be taken or by which it must be completed. Some deadlines are very strict, while others are a bit […]
Suspension periods subject to change next year
The government has proposed a legislative amendment which would make suspension periods even stricter than before. The amendments concern suspension periods related to jobseeking and employment services. Amendments are not proposed to suspension periods related to improper actions in other contexts. A suspension period, or a period without allowance, refers to a time period […]
A-kassa’s popular EmploymentWebinars continue
Organised this past spring, our EmploymentWebinars were well-attended and received a ton of praise – and now we have more lined up! The webinars are open to all A-kassa members, and as they are included in member services, there are no entry fees. This autumn, we are offering three webinars focused on current topics related […]
Impact of carer status on eligibility for an earnings-related daily allowance
Carers can claim unemployment benefits if they are able to demonstrate that they are fit for work and available for work on the open market, which essentially means that you must be prepared to accept full-time employment. If you are a carer and you become unemployed or are laid off, it is important that […]
Incapacity for work and earnings-related allowance – what you need to know
As a benefit, earnings-related allowance is a typically associated with unemployment or lay-off. However, it is important to remember that in some scenarios you can also qualify for earnings-related allowance if you are incapacitated for work. First apply for sickness allowance, then for earnings-related allowance (if eligible) Whether you are employed or unemployed, Kela’s […]
Review your tax card – ensure your benefits are taxed correctly!
Tax withholding on benefits will be made automatically from the beginning of the year, based on the tax cards that take effect at that time. The income limits on the tax cards are determined based on annual income and apply from the start of the year. The unemployment fund generally receives the new tax […]
Entrepreneurship and earnings-related allowance – what you need to know
Employment relationship, self-employment, entrepreneurship. For the purpose of unemployment security, who is considered an entrepreneur? What does it mean if an employer offers you billable work rather than salaried work? Being an entrepreneur does not automatically exclude you from unemployment security. In this article, we discuss the definition of an entrepreneur, entrepreneur’s eligibility for earnings-related […]
A-kassa’s AI app connects jobseekers to tens of thousands of jobs
Open Unemployment Fund A-kassa implemented a new digital EmploymentWizard service in April 2025. Powered by artificial intelligence, the service helps members in their job search, career planning and putting their skills and competences into words. Also, job openings are integrated into the Wizard, enabling it to suggest jobs based on the user’s profile. The Wizard […]
A-kassa survey: Unemployed have lost hundreds of euros – incentives have opposite effect
Conducted in August 2025, Open Unemployment Fund A-kassa’s member survey is exceptionally loud and clear with its results: government cuts to unemployment security have significantly undermined the financial security of unemployed members. As an incentive for finding employment, they are widely considered a failure. With the legislative amendments, the government aimed to make finding employment […]
Have you become unemployed – here’s what to do from day one
Unemployment can come unexpectedly, and the beginning may raise many questions. Our clear instructions tell you when and how to register as a jobseeker and apply for earnings-related allowance. By taking care of the basics on time and correctly, you ensure smooth payment of the allowance. 1. Register as a jobseeker Register as an […]
What is the difference between the waiting period and a suspension period (“karenssi”)?
There are periods during which earnings-related allowance is not paid, such as the waiting period and a suspension period (“karenssi”). These terms are often confused, although they refer to completely different things. Here is a brief overview of their differences and how they affect the payment of the allowance. Waiting period – when does […]
Do you have part-time or occasional employment during the summer? Are you aware of how part-time employment affects your earnings-related allowance?
Types of employment have diversified in both form and content. There is an increasing number of jobs where working hours vary and which do not involve a traditional employment relationship. As new technology solutions emerge, they bring about entirely new type of work. However, many jobs still remain where work is conducted full-time and under […]
When There’s a Job – But the Commute Is Too Long
Sometimes work isn’t available near where you live – but a long commute doesn’t necessarily mean you have to turn the job down. Many people don’t know that unemployment funds can, under certain conditions, pay mobility allowance if an unemployed person accepts a job or work-related training in another location or far from home. The […]
Make your dream of working abroad true – what you should know about unemployment security and job search in other countries
If you are dreaming of working abroad, you should find out whether you are eligible to take a job-seeking trip abroad while receiving earnings-related allowance. If you travel to another EU/EEA country or to Switzerland to look for a job, your journey is considered a ‘job-seeking trip.’ It can last a maximum of three […]
How to use online services securely
Information security has been a hot topic in the media recently, with a number of data leaks and various phishing attempts coming to light. The incidents have affected many individuals and raised concerns on how safe it is to use services online. A-kassa is well aware of the existing information security risks and does its […]
A-kassa’s and Barona’s cooperation producing results – personal service praised by members
Collaboration between A-kassa and working life company Barona helps increasingly many members find new direction in their working life. The first framework agreements are now in place, and new career paths have already been found. Barona’s tailor-made job search service is a part of a greater endeavour launched by A-kassa in early 2025 to offer […]
We recommend retaining your fund membership when starting military service
In the beginning of July, another large group of new conscripts start their military service. The period of service will alter the conscripts’ life situation completely for several months. If you were employed before starting your service and a member of an unemployment fund, you should retain your membership even though your life situation temporarily […]
Are you familiar with the different forms of lay-off?
There are several different forms of lay-offs, each with their specific impact on daily allowance payouts. Furthermore, the form of a lay-off has an impact on the final amount of daily allowance. Lay-off options: full-time ⇒ earnings-related allowance is paid for lay-off days shortening of weekly working hours of a full-time job by full […]
What are holiday pay, holiday bonus and holiday compensation?
Holiday pay, holiday bonus and holiday compensation are often used synonymously. However, they are all different concepts that should not be confused with each other. Holiday pay and holiday compensation are based on legislation, whereas holiday bonuses are based on a collective agreement, an employer’s policy or an employment agreement. What’s more, the three holiday […]