Processing of job alternation compensation applications

The discontinuation of the job alternation leave system has led many of our members to apply for job alternation compensation while it is still possible. We have already received a significant number of new job alternation compensation applications.

We have also received many questions regarding the processing of job alternation compensation applications, payment schedules, the amount of job alternation compensation, and the payment of membership fees. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions related to job alternation compensation on this page.

1. When will my application be processed?
   
   Applications for job alternation compensation are processed only after the job alternation leave has lasted for at least two full calendar weeks (Monday-Sunday). However, during the summer, we have received a very large number of applications for earnings-related unemployment benefits as well, so the processing time may be somewhat longer.
   
   Please be patient while waiting for your application to be processed. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a precise timeline for the processing of your application via phone service or Openetti messages.
2. Have I submitted all the required attachments?
   
   To process your application, you need to provide a copy or image of the job alternation agreement. Many times, we do not require any other attachments.
   
   If you or a family member are engaged in business activities, please provide a copy of your most recent confirmed personal tax decision as an attachment. Send all pages of the tax decision. If you have already received the decision for 2023, please submit it. If you have not yet received it, provide the tax decision for 2022 and send us the confirmed 2023 decision as soon as it becomes available.
   
   As a rule, we don’t require salary slips, as we get salary information from the incomes register.
   
   If we need additional information, the person processing your application will contact you in Openetti when your application is being processed.
   
   The fund also needs the TE office’s statement regarding your job alternation leave. If you wish, you can check in Openetti whether the statement has already arrived at our fund. You can view the statements at the fund by clicking on the heading Decisions and then on Statements. If the statement has not yet arrived, please ensure that all necessary documents for issuing the statement have been submitted to the TE office.
3. When is the payment date for job alternation compensation?
   
   Job alternation compensation is paid retroactively in payment periods of four calendar weeks or one calendar month. The first payment period may be shorter or longer depending on the processing situation.
   
   In a payment schedule of four calendar weeks, the payment date is the Wednesday following the week after the end of the payment period. For example, if the payment period is from August 19, 2024, to September 15, 2024, the payment date for that period would be Wednesday, September 18, 2024. If there have been changes in your situation, the payment may be delayed.
   
   A calendar month payment period is used, for example, if you receive a social benefit monthly or if you have income from part-time work or income from a side business. The payment date is two bank days after the last day of the month. For example, if the payment period is from September 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, the payment date for that period would be October 2, 2024. If there have been changes in your situation, the payment may be delayed.
4. What is the amount of my job alternation compensation?
   
   Unfortunately, we cannot calculate or estimate the amount of your future job alternation compensation in advance, as the amount is determined during the application processing stage. You can estimate the amount of your job alternation compensation using a table available on the website of the The Federation of Unemployment Funds in Finland (TYJ), which you can access via the link below.
   
   Table of alternation compensation
   
5. My membership fee has been deducted from my salary, how do I pay the membership fee during the leave?
   
   If you are a member of the Unemployment Fund for Education and Science through a trade union (e.g., OAJ), the unemployment fund’s membership fee is included in the trade union membership fee. The unemployment fund cannot provide guidance on membership fee matters; instead, you will receive instructions on how to pay membership fees directly from your trade union. You can find a list of member organizations on our website, which you can access via the link below:
   
   Member unions
   
   If you are an individual member of the fund, meaning you are not affiliated with a trade union, you were sent the membership fee invoice for this year at the beginning of 2024. Individual members can inquire about membership fee matters by sending us a message via Openetti.
6. Do I need to submit follow-up applications?
   
   You apply for job alternation compensation with a single application for the entire period of leave, so there is no need to submit follow-up applications.
   
   

More detailed information about job alternation compensation and how to apply for it can be found in the dedicated Job Alternation Compensation section of our website, which you can access via the button below.