The number of recipients of A-kassa’s earnings-related unemployment allowance has continued to rise since July, and towards the end of the year the increase has become even steeper. In November, 23,739 members received earnings-related unemployment allowance, which is 11.8% more than in October and as much as 38.8% more than in the same period last year.
The number of recipients of daily allowance during temporary lay-offs has also continues to rise this year since July. After October, however, the rise seems to have levelled off. In November, 35.4% of all recipients of daily allowance received daily allowance during a temporary lay-off period, which was only 1.1 percentage points more than in October.
Fewer earnings-related unemployment allowance applications
Although the number of earnings-related allowance recipients was higher in November than in October, fewer applications were received. A total of 30,012 earnings-related unemployment allowance applications were received in November, which is 209 applications fewer than in the previous month. Of these, 15.0% were first applications, 30.6% for adjusted allowance and 54.5% for extensions. The average processing time for first applications was 10.2 days and for adjusted allowances 5.8 days.
In November, earnings-related unemployment allowance was paid in the amount of EUR 32.2 million, which is 30.4% more than in November last year. However, the average number of days paid, 17.9 days, is 2.6 days less than at the same time last year.
High Volume of customer service inquiries
The uncertainty of the economic situation and the changes planned by the Government to unemployment security are clearly reflected in the number of inquiries to A-kassa’s customer service. The number of phone calls and messages received via electronic services has increased since July, as have contacts made through the chat.
A-kassa members alert on Government’s planned legislative change
In November, we asked our members how well aware they were with the legislative changes planned by the Government. Of the respondents, 38% were aware of the upcoming changes and 42% knew about the changes but had not yet studied them in detail.
