Studying while receiving unemployment benefits
As a member of the Open Unemployment Fund, you are allowed, in certain situations, to study while receiving earnings-related allowance. You are eligible for a daily allowance if you study either part-time short-term, or for employment promotion measures. The employment official evaluates whether the studies are full-time or part-time when it is a matter of […]
Referring to an uninterrupted layoff of 200 days
An employee who has been laid off continuously and on a full-time basis for at least 200 days is entitled to terminate their employment without forfeiting their salary for the notice period. The employment ends on the date of termination. The employee is entitled to compensation from their employer in the same amount as their […]
Accrual of employment condition is based on salary paid – exact status is determined when application is processed
Fund members who have fulfilled the employment condition during their membership are entitled to earnings-related allowance. Legislation regarding when, how much and on what grounds the employment condition accrues was amended on September 2, 2024. At the same time, the employment condition period was extended from 6 to 12 employment condition months. Even before […]
What is the qualifying period and why does it reset?
Qualifying period means that no earnings-related allowance payments are made right at the onset of unemployment. In fact, the qualifying period can reset shortly after the previous qualifying period has been fulfilled. You should keep in mind that the qualifying period is not always a fixed single period. Rather, it may be set several […]
Periodisation of holiday compensation
In relation to holiday compensation, periodisation means that, when your employment ends, the fund calculates how many days’ worth of holiday compensation you have accrued and deducts the resulting number of days from your earnings-related allowance. In practice, this means periodisation postpones the start of your earnings-related allowance. If you have one month of unused […]
Open Unemployment Fund’s membership fee remains unchanged
The membership fee for the Open Unemployment Fund will remain 8 euros next year as well, meaning there will be no change in the fee. In addition to unemployment security, the membership fee also includes the fund’s job search support services. The Financial Supervisory Authority approved the proposal of the Open Unemployment Fund’s board […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]