Transition security allowance

Transition security measures are intended to support the employment prospects of people who are laid off after they have turned 55.

Transition security measures include transition security allowance (muutosturvaraha), the right to seek transition security training arranged by the employment services and paid leave to find employment that is longer than usual and that you have agreed on with your employer.

Can you get transition security allowance?

You can get transition security allowance if

• you were dismissed on financial and production-related grounds on or after 1 January 2023
• you had turned 55 before you were dismissed
• you had worked for at least 5 years for the employer that dismissed you
• you have registered as a jobseeker with the employment services of your municipality of residence (kotikunta) within 60 days of the date of dismissal. The date of dismissal means the day when you got notice of your dismissal.

After you have registered as a jobseeker, the employment services will check if you meet the criteria for transition security allowance. Employment services will tell Kela or your unemployment fund (työttömyyskassa) whether you meet the criteria.

How much is the transition security allowance?

The transition security allowance is a one-off payment. The allowance is equal to approximately one month’s pay. You must pay taxes on the transition security allowance.

You can get transition security allowance already during your notice period even though your unemployment has not yet started.

The transition security allowance does not affect your right to unemployment benefits or other benefits, with the exception of basic social assistance (perustoimeentulotuki).

How to apply for transition security allowance

If you are a member of an unemployment fund, submit your application to your fund (tyj.fi). You can get transition security allowance from your unemployment fund even if you have not been a member long enough to qualify for earnings-related unemployment allowance (ansiopäiväraha).

If you do not belong to an unemployment fund, apply for transition security allowance from Kela:

1. Register as a jobseeker with the employment services of your municipality of residence (kotikunta) at Job Market Finland (tyomarkkinatori.fi) within 60 days of the date of dismissal. Transition security allowance can be paid out only if you are registered as a jobseeker.
2. Complete the joint application form for transition security allowance (tyj.fi, in Finnish) used by both Kela and unemployment funds.

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the form directly in the browser because some of the information may not be saved that way.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Save the completed application to your device. Note that the application must be in PDF format.
3. Send your application in the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish and Swedish):

   • Log in to OmaKela. Select Tee hakemus (Submit an application).
   • Then select Työttömyys (Unemployment) and Muutosturvaraha (Transition security allowance).
   • If you send your application in OmaKela, you do not need to sign it.
   • If you have supporting documents, send them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph them.
4. Visit OmaKela to see if your application has been decided, how much you will get and when your benefit will be paid. The decision notice will also be sent to your home address if you have not opted out of paper mail.

If you cannot use OmaKela, mail your application to Kela. Save the form to your device and fill it in after saving it. Print out the completed form and send it and any supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

The decision notice is only in Finnish or Swedish. If you need help with something, you can call one of our English language customer service numbers.

Transition security training and leave to find employment