Questions about: TE Office & KELA ?

Mary2012 · Post by **Mary2012** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 10:50 am

Hello all,

I have a few questions about my situation, and I would really really appreciate if you help me out and answer my questions.

My husband (Non-EU national) has been living permanently in Finland since long time and he has (Permit P), he also works here full time. He applied for me a residence permit and I was granted permit(A) since 2010, and hopefully after 10 months I will apply for (Permit P). I and my husband both have KELA cards since long time.

I (Non-EU national) and my husband have been living permanently in Finland together in the same house, and we have never went abroad.

Since I came to Finland I used to get some money from my parents back home, But sadly not anymore because I lost them.

I have never ever worked in Finland before, which means I guess I am not entitled to Unemployment Allowance. However, I read on Kela site that there is something called "Labour Market Subsidy" which I hope I am eligible to it. However, There are some points I need to know:

1) My husband has a paid job with a stable income, Will that affect my case and not letting me getting any benefits?

2) I know that I have to go to TE Office and register as an unemployed jobseeker - But all I have is just a high school certificate (From my home country) and I don't speak Finnish. So, Will be registered as an unemployed jobseeker or will my application be rejected?

3) As I mentioned that currently I am on permit(A) NOT (P) - So will this matter when the TE Office or KELA study my case?

4) Any advice regarding my situation please ?

**Sponsor:**

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:39 am

Mary2012 wrote:Hello all,

I have a few questions about my situation, and I would really really appreciate if you help me out and answer my questions.

My husband (Non-EU national) has been living permanently in Finland since long time and he has (Permit P), he also works here full time. He applied for me a residence permit and I was granted permit(A) since 2010, and hopefully after 10 months I will apply for (Permit P). I and my husband both have KELA cards since long time.

I (Non-EU national) and my husband have been living permanently in Finland together in the same house, and we have never went abroad.

Since I came to Finland I used to get some money from my parents back home, But sadly not anymore because I lost them.

I have never ever worked in Finland before, which means I guess I am not entitled to Unemployment Allowance. However, I read on Kela site that there is something called "Labour Market Subsidy" which I hope I am eligible to it. However, There are some points I need to know:

1) My husband has a paid job with a stable income, Will that affect my case and not letting me getting any benefits?

2) I know that I have to go to TE Office and register as an unemployed jobseeker - But all I have is just a high school certificate (From my home country) and I don't speak Finnish. So, Will be registered as an unemployed jobseeker or will my application be rejected?

3) As I mentioned that currently I am on permit(A) NOT (P) - So will this matter when the TE Office or KELA study my case?

4) Any advice regarding my situation please ?

What is certain is that you will end up in school. And/or Finnish course. Without education nor language you are practically unemployable.

Mary2012 · Post by **Mary2012** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am

I don't mind AT ALL going to school and/or Finnish course. But I was told that there is usually a long queue for courses which could take years... So what will happen to me while I am waiting all this time will I be considered as a jobseeker and get benefits?

Also, I read on Kela site (http://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-ass ... immigrants), about the integration plan, and it literally states: "An integration plan must be drawn up within three years of when you were first given a residence permit for Finland."... I have already exceeded 3 years in my case... So, What to do?

Also, What about my other questions (1 & 3) on the first posts?

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:29 pm

It doesn't matter much, for you, at this moment, your first thing to do is go to TE and register.

Then, you'll 99% likely will be applying for Suomi 1 courses that the TE office organises.
Depending on where you live, there might be a queue for those.
The TE finnish courses are full time, and qualify you for unemployement benefits(meager as they are)
In finland, the income of your husband is irrelevant to your basic benefits. It only matters for extras(housing benefits etc.).

Mary2012 · Post by **Mary2012** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:36 pm

@kharnynb

Assume that the first Finnish language course will start (Considering the queue) in April 2014... So from now September 2013 till April 2014.... am I eligible for any benefits?

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:44 pm

Mary2012 wrote:Assume that the first Finnish language course will start (Considering the queue) in April 2014... So from now September 2013 till April 2014.... am I eligible for any benefits?

Eligibility for unemployment benefits depends on you registering at the TE office as jobseeker and KELA considering you eligible for unemployment benefits.

When you are registered as jobseeker, you have to participate in whatever language or other courses TE office wants you to participate in (and you also have some obligation to accept jobs that are offered to you).

Whether TE office tells you to go into a language course starting tomorrow, or to stay at home for half a year until there's a place for you in a course, doesn't affect your eligibility for unemployment benefits.

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:45 pm

As a status A resident, you should have rights to basic KELA benefits, as long as you register as work searcher and jump through whatever hoops the TE office tells you to

Unless there is some exception law that i am unaware of.

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:49 pm

http://www.kela.fi/web/en/labour-market-subsidy

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:59 pm

kharnynb wrote:As a status A resident, you should have rights to basic KELA benefits, as long as you register as work searcher and jump through whatever hoops the TE office tells you to

Unless there is some exception law that i am unaware of.

The 5 month waiting period likely applies here.

Mary2012 · Post by **Mary2012** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:14 pm

Adrian42 wrote: The 5 month waiting period likely applies here.

Adrian42, What is this 5 month waiting period ? I didn't understand what you meant?

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:21 pm

http://www.kela.fi/web/en/eligibility_waiting-period

Any way you twist it, you really should get your bum into a seat at TE asap.
They will help you with most of this stuff, and tend to be quite helpfull.
They can also tell you what does or doesn't qualify for you etc.
If at all possible, get your diploma translated/certified.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:15 pm

The labour market subsidy is what you are eligible for. You might even get onto an integration programme, but indeed its best to go there and ask. They want to see ALL THE PAPERS including bank statements and whatnot (they'll provide with a list). If you are under 25, they'll vigorously tell you to go to a school and get an education.

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