Taking sick leave as a jobseeker
If you fall ill while looking for a job and become unable to apply for or accept work, see a doctor as soon as possible. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe sick leave for you.
Book an appointment with a doctor at your local health station
At the same time, apply for sickness allowance from Kela(Link leads to external service)
If your sick leave lasts longer than two weeks, submit your sick leave certificate to your designated Employment Services specialist.
Keep your jobseeker status valid at least until you have received a positive decision from Kela regarding sickness allowance.
Kela may ask you to provide a medical statement B if your incapacity for work is prolonged. Usually, you will be required to provide a medical statement at the latest when you have been ill for 60 days and it becomes necessary to assess your need for rehabilitation.
Unemployment benefits while on sick leave
During the sickness allowance waiting period, meaning the first day of illness and the following nine working days, you can apply for unemployment benefits if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Apply for unemployment benefits
If you have partial work ability
If an illness or disability reduces your ability to work, but you are still able to work at least to some extent, you are considered to have partial work ability.
Employment Services will assess your situation and work with you to find services that will support your employment, the development of your skills or strengthening your work ability.
Read more about partial work ability
Financial support while unable to work
If you would like to receive unemployment benefits, you must apply for full-time work corresponding to your work ability also during sick leave.
If you are unable to look for work due to an illness, find out whether you are eligible for sickness allowance or disability pension.
Sickness allowance and disability pension
If you apply for sickness allowance, your work ability will be compared to your work or profession.
If you apply for disability pension, your work ability will be assessed in relation to all the work that you could reasonably be expected to do.
Prolonged incapacity for work and rehabilitation
If the period of incapacity for work is prolonged, it is important that you receive the treatment, rehabilitation and guidance you need.
If you have a treatment contact
If you have a treatment contact at your local health station, in specialised health care or occupational health care, you should continue working with your healthcare provider.
If you do not have a treatment contact
If you do not have a treatment contact, you should contact your local health station or occupational health care. If necessary, you can ask your Employment Services specialist for a referral to a health station or for guidance on suitable services.
If you reach the maximum payment period for sickness allowance
Kela can pay you sickness allowance for a maximum of 300 working days.
If you are employed and reach the maximum payment period for sickness allowance, you may be instructed to register as a jobseeker. In that case, you can find out whether you are entitled to unemployment benefits.
Tell your Employment Services specialist about your situation so that you can receive appropriate guidance.
If your application for disability pension is pending or has been rejected
Tell your Employment Services specialist about your situation.
If your application for disability pension has been rejected:
- review the grounds for the rejection carefully
- check whether the decision recommends vocational rehabilitation
- submit any new medical statements or other relevant documents to the person who made the decision if your circumstances have changed
- inform your specialist if you have appealed the decision.
Rehabilitation to support work ability
If your work ability is reduced due to an illness or disability, rehabilitation can help you return to work or explore new career options.
Discuss the rehabilitation options with your healthcare provider, Kela or your Employment Services specialist. We will always assess your need for rehabilitation on a case-by-case basis.