Studying while receiving unemployment benefits: current rules and proposed changes
As a member of the Unemployment Fund, you may in certain situations study while receiving earnings-related unemployment allowance. The government is currently preparing a legislative amendment that could make it easier in the future to study, particularly through open studies, while receiving unemployment benefits. The government’s proposed legislative amendment could make open studies easier […]
Professional sports usually do not qualify for earnings-related allowance – what should athletes take into account?
An athlete’s work and income may differ significantly from regular paid employment. Professional sports often involve fixed-term contracts, competition and compensation income, sponsorship income, and varying forms of work. These special characteristics of the sports industry are also reflected in how earnings-related allowance is determined. Not all income earned from sports qualifies for earnings-related allowance […]
Phishing is becoming more common – here’s how to handle your matters with A-kassa securely
Handling matters online has become part of everyday life for more and more people, but unfortunately scam attempts and phishing have also increased at the same time. At A-kassa, secure online services are a very important part of our service, but your own choices can also effectively help prevent phishing and misuse. We have compiled […]
The number of earnings-related allowance recipients fell by more than 17 percent compared to last year
In April, the number of recipients of earnings-related allowance from Open Unemployment Fund continued to decline significantly. There were more than 17 percent fewer recipients than a year earlier, and the number of applications also dropped sharply. Data from mid-May indicates that the downward trend is continuing. The number of people receiving allowance during layoffs […]
A job can turn up in unexpected places – skills are transferable across a wide variety of sectors
In our previous job search articles, we explored expanding the scope of your job search, accepting a job farther from home, practical solutions for making it easier to accept work and the competitive landscape of the job market. This time around, we explore how expanding the scope of your job search is not limited […]
Accrual of annual leave and its effect on earnings-related allowance
As summer arrives, it is important to remember how annual holiday accrues and affects the daily allowance and filling out the application. On the A-kassa website, you can find a applying guide on how to fill in the application in different situations – for example, if you become unemployed, are laid off, or work […]
Invitation to the General Meeting of the Open Unemployment Fund
The General Meeting of the Open Unemployment Fund will be held on 26 May 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in Helsinki at the premises of A-kassa. Members of the Open Unemployment Fund are entitled to attend the meeting. Participants were requested to register in advance by 27 April 2026. Attendees must register as present at […]
Ascension Day affects service hours and payment dates
Ascension Day causes changes to the unemployment fund’s service hours and benefit payment dates. Telephone service and eService chat Our customer service will be closed on Thursday 14 May and Friday 15 May. eService The eService is available as usual, so you can submit applications and send messages on all days. Please note […]
The sporadic nature of a musician’s work – what does it mean for unemployment security?
The work of musicians and other creative professionals is often wide-ranging, and their working schedules and remuneration structures often differ from those in conventional salaried employment. Work can consist of individual performances, fixed-term productions, rehearsal periods, and salaries paid in various ways. These unique characteristics affect how earnings-related allowance is determined. Therefore, creative professionals should […]
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 […]
EmploymentWebinar on Job Search in Industry
A-kassa organizes free EmploymentWebinars for its members, where you receive practical support for job search and career planning. In May, the webinar is focused on industrial sectors and is organized in cooperation with the Industrial Union. Job Search in Industry – A-kassa and the Industrial Union 18 May 2026 at 11:00–12:00 During the […]
Income security at the end of your career – what options do you have?
Towards the end of a career, many people consider how their livelihood will be secured if unemployment occurs unexpectedly or if continuing to work until retirement age is no longer possible. As a member of A-kassa, you may be entitled to earnings-related allowance even before retirement. In some situations, an alternative may also be […]
Boost your job search with workshops – sign up in time
A-kassa organises three free workshops for its members in May, where you will receive practical support for your job search and learn how to use the EmploymentWizard platform in practice. In the workshops, you will progress step by step and get to work on your own CV and job application with guidance from experts. […]
May Day affects service hours and payment dates
The May Day cause changes to the unemployment fund’s service hours and benefit payment dates. Telephone service and eService chat On Thursday 30 April, we serve as usual otherwise, but the eService chat and the telephone line for authorities will close at 14:00. On Friday 1 May, customer service is closed. eService The […]
Earnings-related allowance is not affected when Kela’s general social security benefit is introduced on 1 May 2026
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 […]
Gain a competitive edge by looking for jobs where others do not
This is the next entry in our series of articles focused on job search. The three previous articles explored ways to expand your job search and the forms of support available for accepting a job farther from home. This article takes a new perspective: by expanding the geographical area of your job search, you may […]
Pay-subsidised work does not always count towards the employment condition
Pay-subsidised work does not generally count towards the employment condition, which is required to be fulfilled in order to receive earnings-related allowance. Following the amendments to the Unemployment Security Act that have been in effect since September 2024, pay-subsidised work counts towards the employment condition only in specific situations. The employment condition only accumulates […]
Number of earnings-related allowance recipients increased in March – improvement expected in April
In March, the number of recipients of earnings-related allowance from Open Unemployment Fund increased by 5% compared to February but was still 12% lower than a year earlier. The number of applications rose clearly from February, with a notable increase in initial applications. Overall, however, the number of applications was 9.3% lower than in March […]
Summer job and unemployment security – what you should know?
For many school pupils and students, summer is their first contact with working life. A summer job offers valuable work experience, income, meaningful activity, and an opportunity to build skills. At the same time, it is good to take care of matters related to unemployment security – even if unemployment is not currently relevant. […]
Why do you need to register as an unemployed jobseeker?
When you become unemployed or are laid off, there is one important thing to take care of immediately: registering as an unemployed jobseeker. You must register no later than on your first day of unemployment or lay-off – preferably in advance. But why is this so important? When you become unemployed, you will inevitably […]