Unemployed and students

If you have little or no income, you will receive Sickness Allowance after completing a qualifying period of 55 days (including the waiting period). You will then be paid at least the minimum amount EUR 23.77 per day.

Payment to unemployed persons

If you have received an unemployment benefit within the 4 months preceding the work incapacity, the Sickness Allowance due to you is equal to at least 86% of the unemployment benefit. During the waiting period for the Sickness Allowance, you will receive unemployment allowance from Kela or from your unemployment fund.

Payment to students

You can receive financial aid normally in the event of a brief illness. However, if you must take a longer sick leave, it makes sense to stop your financial aid and claim Sickness Allowance instead. This will ensure that you do not deplete the number of aid months available to you and that you do not have to make the required academic progress while ill.

If you have received financial aid during the 4 months preceding your illness, the Sickness Allowance due to you in the first 55 days of illness will be nearly as large as your study grant. After that, you will be paid the minimum allowance EUR 23.77 per day. A 10-day waiting period must be completed before the Sickness Allowance is paid. You can get financial aid during the waiting period.

If you have received Rehabilitation Allowance

If you have received Rehabilitation Allowance from Kela or an earnings-related pension provider in the 6 months preceding work incapacity, the Sickness Allowance due to you will normally be at least as large as the Rehabilitation Allowance.

Accident at work, traffic injury, occupational disease

If you are unable to work on account of an accident at work, occupational disease or a traffic or military injury, you will receive a daily allowance from the relevant insurance scheme. If the Sickness Allowance would be larger than the insurance payment, Kela will pay you the balance. If the insurance payment is delayed, you can receive an interim Sickness Allowance from Kela.

Updated 03/26/13