Sairauspäivärahat

Sairauspäivärahat, often translated as sickness allowance or sick pay, are a form of social security benefit in Finland designed to provide financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to illness or injury. The primary purpose of sairauuspäivärahat is to compensate for lost income during a period of incapacity.

Eligibility for sairauuspäivärahat is determined by Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. To qualify, an individual must have been a resident of Finland and have been insured for sickness insurance. The illness or injury must render the person incapable of performing their usual work. A medical certificate from a doctor is typically required to support the claim.

The amount of sairauuspäivärahat is generally based on the individual's income from employment or self-employment. There are minimum and maximum daily amounts, and the benefit is usually a percentage of the assessed income. The duration of the payments can vary depending on the severity and expected recovery time from the illness or injury. Initially, sickness allowance is paid by the employer for a certain period (often up to 9 working days), after which Kela takes over the payment.

There are also specific provisions for certain situations, such as occupational diseases or accidents. In some cases, vocational rehabilitation may be provided alongside or instead of sickness allowance to help the individual return to work. The system aims to balance the need for income replacement with the encouragement of recovery and return to employment.