In Finland temporary changes in unemployment benefits will remain in effect until the end of the year 2020

Temporary changes have been made to the unemployment benefits simplifing their eligibility conditions and improving the level of benefits. The new requirements have been applied due to the coronavirus epidemic and extended until the end of 2020.

Temporary changes that will continue to apply or be extended until 31 December 2020:

• The five-day waiting period canceled from March 16, 2020. Unemployment benefit can be received immediately from the first day of unemployment.
• Days on which someone is laid off temporarily do not count against the maximum payment period for unemployment allowance. The change applies to those who were temporarily laid off after March 16, 2020. From 1 July 2020, the maximum payment period for unemployment allowance will not apply to other fully or partially unemployed people either.
• The work period requirements have been temporarily reduced for employees from 26 weeks to 13 weeks. For those family members of the entrepreneur who do not own the business, the conditions have been reduced from 52 weeks to 26 weeks. The simplified work period requirements are valid from 16.3.2020 and apply to persons who have at least one week that counts towards the work requirement and covers the period starting from March 1, 2020.
• Starting 1 July 2020, the simplified work period requirements will also apply to the recipient of the basic unemployment allowance. A recipient of a basic unemployment allowance who is a member of the unemployment insurance fund may become eligible for the earnings-related unemployment benefits if he or she has had work that counts towards the work requirements for 13 weeks. At least one of these weeks that count towards the work requirement must have started after 1.7.2020.

Until the end of the year, a number of temporary changes will also be continued regarding the dealings with TE services and the jobseeker's obligations. In accordance with these temporary changes, for example, the failure to draw up an employment plan does not lead to the loss of the right to unemployment benefits.

The full information can be found at KELA website.