Earnings-related allowance is usually paid during unemployment or temporary lay-offs. However, in some cases, you can also receive earnings-related allowance when you are ill or unable to work. This may be the case, for example, during the waiting period for sickness allowance or after you have reached the maximum payment period for Kela’s sickness allowance.
Sickness allowance is the primary benefit
When you fall ill, the primary benefit is sickness allowance paid by Kela, whether you are employed or unemployed. The maximum payment period for sickness allowance is 300 days. This means that you can receive sickness allowance until the end of the month before the month in which you would reach 300 sickness allowance payment days.
Illness and earnings-related allowance
A short illness or a minor accident does not prevent you from receiving earnings-related allowance, provided that you meet the other eligibility conditions. If your illness lasts no more than ten days, mark the days you were ill as “Sick” in the daily details of your earnings-related allowance application. If you have been working part-time and receive sick pay, report this in your application. If your illness continues beyond the waiting period for sickness allowance, apply for sickness allowance from Kela and also report the days you were ill in your earnings-related allowance application.
The waiting period for sickness allowance includes the first day of incapacity for work and the following nine working days. Saturdays are included, but public holidays are not. If you received earnings-related allowance immediately before the waiting period began, we can also pay earnings-related allowance for these days, provided that you meet the other eligibility conditions.
If you become so seriously ill or injured that you need hospital treatment or other institutional care, always report this in your application. Under the law, you are not considered available for work during institutional care. Therefore, you are not entitled to earnings-related allowance for this period.
When can you receive earnings-related allowance after sickness allowance?
If you are employed, you may be eligible for earnings-related allowance after reaching the maximum payment period for Kela’s sickness allowance if your employment relationship is still valid, your employer cannot offer you work suitable for your ability to work, and your application for full disability pension is pending.
In this situation, earnings-related allowance can help secure your income while your disability pension application is being processed, provided that you meet the other eligibility conditions. If your application for full disability pension is rejected because you are considered fit for work, you may receive earnings-related allowance until the decision becomes final. In this case, your disability pension application is no longer considered pending.
If you are unemployed, you may be eligible for earnings-related allowance after reaching the maximum payment period for Kela’s sickness allowance, provided that you have not been granted full disability pension or another benefit that prevents you from receiving earnings-related allowance. You must also be registered as a jobseeker with the employment authority and be prepared to accept full-time work.
In these situations, earnings-related allowance acts as a safety net, helping you maintain your income when you are not yet receiving primary benefits such as sickness allowance, rehabilitation subsidy or full disability pension.
What if you are partially incapacitated for work or receive partial disability pension?
If you are partially incapacitated for work or receive partial disability pension and are not working, you must register as an unemployed jobseeker with the employment authority. You should also register if you still have a full-time employment contract, but your employer cannot offer you part-time work.
If you receive partial disability pension, the amount of your pension will be deducted from your earnings-related allowance.
Remember to register as a jobseeker and apply for the right benefit
If you are approaching the maximum payment period for sickness allowance, make sure you understand your situation well in advance. Register as a jobseeker with the employment authority as soon as your sickness allowance ends and apply for full disability pension.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for earnings-related allowance, contact A-kassa.
Key points to remember
- Kela’s sickness allowance is the primary benefit.
- Earnings-related allowance may be paid during the waiting period for sickness allowance under certain conditions.
- You may be eligible for earnings-related allowance after reaching the maximum payment period of 300 working days for sickness allowance.
- Full disability pension prevents you from receiving earnings-related allowance, while partial disability pension reduces the amount of your allowance.