SLOW BUSINESS/LIVING ALLOWANCE

[rinso]

SO WHAT WILL KELA EXACTELY DO FOR ME?

probably nothing.
They will pay you social benefits, but they will not solve your problems.
The fact that they didn't announce a Finnish course is probably because there is no place available at the moment.

the office told me that if my business doesnt become "independent"(so i dont need their money) before 30.4.2012 i must close it down if i want to see any support money.

The idea behind it is that as long as you operate your business, you're not available for an other job that could make you financially independent. It is the principle that counts for them, not the chance of success.

[Pursuivant]

Either you are a successfull entrepeneur or then you are a pauper on handout. There is no middle path.

[onkko]

the office told me that if my business doesnt become "independent"(so i dont need their money) before 30.4.2012 i must close it down if i want to see any support money.

IS THIS LEGAL?

.....

also other question, march 2012 will be 3yrs in finland for me, so im not eligible to get a free course to learn finnish language_(i ve been told)...SO WHAT WILL KELA EXACTELY DO FOR ME?

finally, if i close my business and kela doesnt find me a job what happens? do they give me unemployment money or after a while they ll abandon me to my destiny?

Yes its legal, handouts arent ment to keep up unsuccesfull business.

That 3 years limit is for your "integration plan limit" where työvoimatoimisto or other authority have to do "integration plan" to you but ending of that doesnt mean that you arent allowed, or even ordered, to finnish courses. Työvoimatoimisto will do "normal plan" with you according to your wishes and realistic possibilities to either re-educate you or give needed courses what can include for example finnish courses or whatever is seen beneficial to you. Basicly it means that you go in työvoimatoimisto and "tell them you are unemployed looking for job", theyll give you time when you need to visit "clerk", you discuss with "clerk" and decide with her what you do (or she orders what you have to do) and then "clerk" gives you new time when you have to visit or date when you have to tell them that you are alive. (offtopic, is clerk good translation for virkailija?)

Unemployment money is explained in english in http://kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/ ... enDocument
Basicly non means-tested 500+180 days or 180 days and then indefinetily (or until goverment runs out money) means-tested so your spouses income etc. affects.

And even if you dont get unemployment money you will get at least 461,05e/month (if you live alone) after housing/electricity/water/healthcare. This money can be cut -20% or -40% if you dont do as työvoimatoimisto/kela/sosiaalitoimisto tolds e.g. refuse to go courses or refuse to take job etc.

[onkko]

That 461,05/month is money from social office so that answers your question, it is that starting today so thats why higher amount instead of 419something e.
Only way i can see how you can continue your business is that you manage to convice TE-keskus (työvoimatoimisto) that your business is "not main business" so you can and will take full time job, if available, or can go to full time courses etc. so they can register you as unemployed. If you manage to do that, what i doubt, then youre entitled to unemployment money (where your possible income from "side business" is deducted) and "social security office" cant say that you arent taking mandatory steps to secure your income. Only sure way i know how to convice them is that you have been working full time atleast 10 months while having your business.... But well its worth to try.

Thats how social security is build in here, social offices money is really last possibility and they can and will demand that you will use every other possible source of money before they give you anything.

[makaveli]

Sorry if I missed it, but what is your business? Would be wise to tell here to potentially stir up some interest?

[onkko]

Only way i can see how you can continue your business is that you manage to convice TE-keskus (työvoimatoimisto) that your business is "not main business" so you can and will take full time job, if available, or can go to full time courses etc. so they can register you as unemployed. If you manage to do that, what i doubt, then youre entitled to unemployment money (where your possible income from "side business" is deducted) and "social security office" cant say that you arent taking mandatory steps to secure your income

.

well i ve already wrote my own statement when applying for the support from the social office telling them that i have a very low income but i do work full time (indeed despite my poor income i do dedicate 9-10hours a day to my activity)

You are now mixing totally different things, im talking about TE-keskus (työvoimatoimisto) and your statements for city social office has nothing to do with it.

Let me rephrase...

You NEED to convice TE-keskus that your business IS SIDE-BUSINESS AND DOESNT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY OR WILLINGLESS TO SEEK AND TAKE POSSIBLE FULL TIME JOB OR COURSES!
IF you manage to do that and they actually register you AS UNEMPLOYED then you dont need to close down your business.
AFTER they have registered you AS UNEMPLOYED THEN you are entitled to money from KELA etc.

IF they DONT THINK YOUR BUSINESS IS SIDE-BUSINESS THEN YOU HAVE TO CLOSE IT IF YOU WANT ANY MONEY.