Obligations of the jobseeker

You must apply for jobs to receive unemployment benefit. You agree with the employment official on how many jobs you must apply for per month. You can apply for vacancies and send open applications to employers. If you are working part-time or on-demand, you can apply for more working hours from your employer.

In addition, the employment official may send you offers of employment, i.e. notifications of jobs.

If you do not apply for work as agreed, the payment of your unemployment benefit may be interrupted or you may lose your right to unemployment benefit for a fixed period or until further notice. Read more about losing the right to unemployment security in JobMarket Finland webpage.Opens in a new window.

Only job seekers who receive a partial disability pension are entitled to unemployment benefits without being obligated to seek full-time employment.

In order to receive unemployment benefit, you must apply to study in the spring. You must apply to study even if you have been working for some time and would apply for an earnings-related unemployment allowance from an unemployment fund or Kela's general social security benefit.

Education is ultimately the best way to prevent future unemployment. Education will probably also enable you to get a pleasant job and a reasonably good income. 

In addition to applying for jobs, you must take care of the following:

• Be available and keep your contact details up to date with the employment services of your municipality of residence, as contact details are not updated for them from the Population Information System or Kela. 
• Keep in touch with the employment official and at the agreed time.
• Apply to the training provided by the employment official. 
• Apply to and participate in the agreed services.
• Complete the tasks agreed upon with the employment official by the agreed deadlines.

Contact the employment services of your municipality of residence by phone, in the E-services at Job Market FinlandOpens in a new window. or through pre-arranged meetings. 

When you comply with these obligations, your job search will remain valid and you will have the right to unemployment benefit.

If you do not comply with your obligations, the payment of your unemployment benefit may be interrupted or you may lose your right to unemployment benefit for a fixed period or until further notice. 

Read more about the mandatory waiting period (karenssi in Finnish) in JobMarket Finland website.Opens in a new window.