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The general social security benefit to replace Kela’s unemployment benefits in May
Kela will begin paying a general social security benefit on the basis of unemployment from 1 May 2026. The general social security benefit will replace the labour market subsidy and the basic unemployment allowance. This reform will not affect the earnings-related allowance paid by unemployment funds. The conditions for receiving the earnings-related allowance, its amount, and its payment will remain unchanged.
Who is eligible for the general social security benefit?
The general social security benefit is paid to an unemployed jobseeker who is not entitled to the earnings-related daily allowance paid by an unemployment fund. This may be the case, for example, if you are not a member of an unemployment fund or if you have already received earnings-related allowance for the maximum period.
The general social security benefit is the same amount as the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy. In 2026, it amounts to €37.21 per day, i.e. approximately €800 per month.
From earnings-related allowance to general social security benefit
If you you reach the maximum period of earnings-related allowance and you move to the general social security benefit, your dealings with the employment authority will continue as before. Recipients of the general social security benefit are, in most respects, subject to the same labour policy conditions, employment-promoting services, and sanctions under the Unemployment security act as recipients of the earnings-related allowance. If you move to the general social security benefit immediately after the maximum period of earnings-related allowance ends, no waiting period will be imposed.
From general social security benefit to earnings-related allowance
If you move from the general social security benefit to the earnings-related allowance after becoming entitled to it, the earnings-related allowance will be paid after a seven-day waiting period. The waiting period applied to the general social security benefit is not taken into account when paying the earnings-related allowance. Days paid as general social security benefit do not count towards the maximum period of the earnings-related allowance; instead, when transferring from the general social security benefit, the maximum period for the earnings-related allowance starts afresh.
Means testing
Unlike the earnings-related allowance, the general social security benefit is a means-tested benefit. This means that the applicant’s income affects the amount of the allowance. In means testing, income other than wages is taken into account, including dividend and rental income as well as informal care allowance.
Income from part-time or casual work and from secondary self-employment is adjusted in the same way as for the earnings-related allowance, meaning that half of earned income reduces the general social security benefit.
Further information
Kela: General social security benefit during unemployment
Kela: Questions and answers about the general social security benefit
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: General allowance
Kela will publish guidance on how to apply for the general social security benefit in its online service on 1 May 2026.
