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The Government proposes legislative amendment on general social security benefit
The Government is proposing a legislative amendment on general social security benefit. General social security benefit would replace the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy currently paid by Kela. Payment of general social security benefit could begin on 1 May 2026.
The aim of the reform is to introduce a single benefit – general social security benefit – which would include a basic component for daily living, a housing component for accommodation costs, and a discretionary component as a last-resort safeguard. Replacing the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy with general social security benefit is part of the Government’s planned reform of basic social security.
Kela would be responsible for implementing general social security benefit.
Who would receive general social security benefit, and how much would be paid?
General social security benefit would be paid to an unemployed jobseeker who is not entitled to an earnings-related allowance because:
- they are not a member of an unemployment fund,
- their employment requirement or membership condition has not been met, or
- they have already received the maximum duration of earnings-related allowance.
General social security benefit would be means-tested, meaning that entitlement would require financial need. General social security benefit is therefore not the same as a basic income. The amount of general social security benefit would correspond to the current basic unemployment allowance: 37.21 € per day, or approximately 800 € per month (in 2025).
Any earned income would be adjusted in general social security benefit in the same way as in the earnings-related allowance.
Eligibility conditions and disqualifications would remain mostly unchanged
Recipients of general social security benefit would be subject to the same general labour market policy requirements, sanctions under the Unemployment Security Act – such as waiting periods and penalty periods – and employment-promoting services as recipients of the earnings-related allowance.
If the applicant for general social security benefit has not completed any post-comprehensive or upper secondary qualification leading to a profession or providing vocational competence, general social security benefit would be paid only after a 21-week waiting period.
Further information
More information on the legislative amendment is available on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: General social security benefit
The Government proposal on General social security benefit can be read on the Parliament website: HE 112/2025 vp
