How to apply for unemployment benefits
Once you have registered as a jobseeker, we will check whether you are entitled to unemployment benefits, i.e. to financial support paid to you.
Unemployment benefits are not paid automatically. Instead, you must apply for them yourself with Kela or your own unemployment fund.
The application process is described here.
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Register as a jobseeker
If you become unemployed or are laid off, register as a jobseeker as soon as possible. You can register even before you become unemployed. The unemployment benefit can only be paid for the period during which your job search is valid.
Register as a jobseeker in the Job Market Finland E-services(Link leads to external service)
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Apply for the unemployment benefit through Kela or your unemployment fund
Unemployment benefits are applied for directly from the payer, i.e. Kela or your unemployment fund.
Check the instructions from Kela or your unemployment fund for information on when to send the first application and which information to include in it.
If you are a member of an unemployment fund and meet the eligibility criteria for earnings-related unemployment allowance, apply for it from your unemployment fund.
Find out more about the earnings-related unemployment allowance(Link leads to external service)
If you are not entitled or your entitlement to an earnings-related unemployment allowance has expired, you can apply for the general social security benefit from Kela. The general social security benefit replaced the labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance previously paid by Kela on 1 May 2026.
Read more about the general social security benefit (Link leads to external service)
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The Employment Services will assess your entitlement to unemployment benefit
Once you have registered as a jobseeker, the Employment Services will assess whether you meet the labour policy criteria for the unemployment benefit.
The Employment Services will issue a labour policy statement on the matter to Kela or your unemployment insurance fund.
The benefit provider will make the final decision on whether you are eligible for unemployment benefit and how much you will receive.
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Respond to any clarification requests
We may need further information about your situation before issuing the labour policy statement. In this case, you will receive a clarification request in Job Market Finland’s E-services.
A request for clarification does not automatically mean that there is a problem with your unemployment benefit. We simply need further information so that we can assess your situation.
Respond to the request for clarification by the defined deadline. In the E-services you can see what information and attachments you are asked to provide.
If you do not respond by the deadline, the matter may have to be resolved on the basis of the information available. This may affect your entitlement to unemployment benefit.
Go to Job Market Finland’s E-services (Link leads to external service)
What types of matters can the clarification request concern?
We may ask you for further information regarding the following, for example
- the termination of your employment
- your studies
- your business activities
- the work you have carried out via an invoicing service
- self-employment
- the implementation of your job search or your employment plan
- missing documents or certificates
- applying for education, if you are under 25 and under the obligation to seek education.
Read the request for clarification carefully and answer the questions asked. Attach the requested documents.
Unemployment security for persons under the age of 25
If you are under the age of 25 and do not have upper secondary education or education that leads to a qualification and provides vocational skills, your unemployment security is subject to special conditions.
For example, you are obliged to apply for at least two places of study starting the following autumn for which you meet the entry requirements.
Applying for a place of study in the autumn is not a condition for receiving unemployment benefit if the studies do not start until spring. However, if you do apply for a place of study and are accepted as a student, you must start your studies. If you fail to start your studies without a valid reason, you may lose your entitlement to unemployment benefit for the time being.
You can be considered eligible to unemployment benefit once you have done one of the following for a total of 21 calendar weeks:
- carried out work that meets the conditions of the work requirement
- participated in services to promote employment
- studied full-time or
- worked full-time as an entrepreneur or been self-employed.
Your entitlement to the unemployment benefit is reinstated and your obligation to apply for education also ceases when you have completed a vocational qualification or a higher education degree, or when you reach the age of 25.
Frequently asked questions about unemployment benefits
If you are a member of an unemployment fund and meet the conditions for earnings-related unemployment allowance, apply through your unemployment fund.
If you are not entitled to earnings-related allowance, or if your entitlement period has ended, apply for the General Support benefit from Kela.
If your case concerns a labour policy statement or a request for clarification, check your situation in the E-services section of Job Market Finland.
If your case concerns the processing of your benefit application, the amount of your benefit or the payment date, check the status with Kela or your unemployment fund.
A request for clarification means that we need additional information about your situation before we can issue a labour policy statement.
The request may relate to, for example, the end of your employment, studies, business activities or work carried out through an invoicing service. Respond within the deadline and attach any requested documents.
Receiving a request for clarification does not automatically mean that there is a problem with your entitlement to unemployment benefits.
Processing times depend on whether additional information is needed about your situation.
Once the labour policy statement has been issued, Kela or your unemployment fund will process your application and make a decision on your benefit.
A labour policy statement cannot be appealed separately.
If you have new information that may affect the case, such as a missing certificate or other supporting document, contact us through the E-services section of Job Market Finland.
You may appeal a decision made by Kela or your unemployment fund by following the instructions included with the decision.
There may be several reasons. Your application or labour policy statement may still be under processing, additional information may be required from you, or your job search may not be valid.
Check your situation both in the E-services section of Job Market Finland and in Kela's or your unemployment fund's online service.
Studies may affect your entitlement to unemployment benefits. Notify employment services when you start your studies, unless they fall under an exception where notification is not required.
If you are unsure how your studies may affect your situation, contact employment services before starting them.
Starting a business may affect your entitlement to unemployment benefits. Notify employment services when you start a business. You must also report work carried out through an invoicing service.
The impact of business activities on your unemployment benefits is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Employment services and the benefit payer are responsible for different matters.
Employment services assess whether you meet the labour policy conditions for unemployment benefits. Kela or your unemployment fund decides on the payment of the benefit.
For this reason, it may be necessary to report matters such as starting studies or business activities to both organisations.
If you are under 25 and do not have a post-compulsory education qualification, special education-related requirements apply to your entitlement to unemployment benefits.
Read more about unemployment benefits for people under 25(Link leads to external service)