Sairauuspäiväraha

Sairauspäiväraha is a Finnish social insurance benefit provided by Kela (Kansaneläkelaitos), the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. It is intended to compensate for income loss when an individual is unable to work due to illness. To be eligible for sairauspäiväraha, a person must have been unable to work for at least 10 consecutive days due to illness, and their reduced work capacity must be certified by a physician. The benefit is typically granted for a maximum of one year.

The amount of sairauspäiväraha is based on the individual's earned income. Kela calculates the daily allowance based on the insured person's annual income, which is then divided by a specific number of days to determine the daily rate. There are also minimum and maximum daily allowance amounts. Sickness allowance can be paid as a full-time or part-time benefit, depending on the individual's work capacity and employment situation.

In some cases, the employer may pay sickness allowance for the initial period of illness, known as the "omavastuuaika" or waiting period, which is typically the first day of sickness. After this period, Kela takes over the payment. If the illness continues, an extension of the sairauspäiväraha may be possible, requiring further medical documentation. The system aims to provide financial security for individuals facing temporary work incapacity due to health reasons.