JOB ALTERNATION LEAVE

• the amount of job alternation allowance is 70% of your full earnings-related allowance without increases for dependent children. You can calculate the amount of allowance you can receive using the allowance calculator.
•  the earnings-related allowance used to calculate your job alternation allowance is based on earned income from at least 52 weeks preceding the job alternation leave
• earned income you receive during the job alternation leave reduces the amount of alternation allowance. If you are employed during the job alternation allowance, report the days you have worked to the fund immediately and send us a copy of your employment contract for the part-time work
• If you receive business income or earned income from agricultural or forestry activities, these may also affect your amount of job alternation allowance

Apply for job alternation allowance from the unemployment fund within three months of the start of your job alternation leave. The alternation allowance is paid retroactively usually every four calendar weeks. Notify the TE Office about your job alternation leave.

How to apply job alternation allowance

• apply for job alternation allowance from the unemployment fund using the job alternation allowance application
• you can fill in the application in Nettikassa
• we recommend that you submit the alternation allowance application and any attachments to the fund by the end of the month when your job alternation leave begins. The decision on the allowance is made after the TE Office has issued its opinion, your application and all attachments have been submitted to the fund and payment of the job alternation allowance has begun.

Documents needed for the application:

• wage certificate issued by your payroll administration for full pay periods from at least 52 weeks prior to the job alternation leave (link to form).
• job alternation leave agreement
• latest confirmed tax decision, including the itemised part if you have a business or receive earned income from agricultural or forestry activities

If you work during your job alternation leave, report these days to the fund without delay. If you work for another employer, we will also need the employment contract.

We receive the information needed to determine the length of your employment history directly from the Finnish Centre for Pensions.  If you are unsure whether you meet the minimum employment history of 20 years, you can ask that the unemployment fund check your employment history. The TE Office will advise you on other conditions for taking job alternation leave.

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