Partial Sickness Allowance

The purpose of the partial sickness allowance is to make it easier for persons who are incapacitated for work to return to work and to remain employed. Full-time employees can make an agreement with their employer to return to work on a part-time basis. While employed part-time, they are paid a partial sickness allowance by Kela.

The partial sickness allowance is intended for persons who are employed or self-employed on a full-time basis and between 16 and 67 years of age. It is payable after a waiting period. No waiting period need be completed if the partial sickness allowance follows on immediately from a sickness or rehabilitation allowance. During the waiting period, the employee may not pursue any employment. Part-time employment can begin after completion of the waiting period.

Amount

The partial sickness allowance is half as large as the regular sickness allowance preceding it. If you receive any other compensations for loss of earnings, they are offset against your partial sickness allowance.

The partial sickness allowance is payable for up to 72 working days (for about three months). It is not available for periods of less than two weeks. All days on partial sickness allowance during the preceding two years count towards the 72-day maximum. If you reach the maximum, you must be fit for work for at least a year before you can again receive partial sickness allowance for the same illness.

If you are unable to work for health reasons for more than 10 days while receiving partial sickness allowance, you will again receive the regular sickness allowance. Once your health improves, you can return to part-time work and again receive the partial sickness allowance.

How to claim

• Submit your claim for Partial Sickness Allowance on form SV 28e.
• Enclose the part-time employment contract or, if you are self-employed, a statement about the reduction in self-employment activity. Alternatively, your employer can send the part-time employment contract to Kela electronically.
• Enclose Medical Certificate B, which must contain details about your incapacity for work and a statement that the part-time work poses no risk to your health and recovery.
• File your claim within 4 months of the date when you stopped receiving Sickness Allowance.