When a self-employed person falls ill

How does YEL income affect the sickness allowance?

If your sick leave lasts a maximum of 10 days, the allowance you receive from Kela is called YEL allowance. The YEL allowance is based on your YEL income alone. Your YEL insurance must be in force the day you fall ill in order for you to receive the YEL allowance.

If your illness lasts longer, you may be eligible for sickness allowance after the YEL allowance. Your sickness allowance will be calculated based on your annual earnings. As a self-employed person, your annual earnings are based on the YEL income. If your YEL income has changed during the 12 months under review, Kela will take into account your average income. If you work as a wage-earner outside your own company in addition to your entrepreneurial activities, the amount of your allowance is affected by both your earnings as an employee and your YEL income as a self-employed person. The annual earnings are calculated based on the earnings from the 12 calendar months preceding the calendar month when the entitlement to the benefit begins.

More information on how annual earnings are determined is available on Kela’s website (kela.fi) >

When can I receive sickness allowance and how do I apply for it?

If you fall ill, you can apply to Kela for an allowance. Your waiting period is the day when you fall ill (one day). Follow these steps:

1. Seek medical attention immediately when you fall ill and get a certificate stating that you are unable to work. If you intend to apply to Kela for the YEL allowance, you need a certificate issued by at least a public health nurse or a nurse. If you apply for the sickness allowance paid after the YEL allowance, you need a medical statement. If you apply for the allowance for no more than 60 days, ask the physician to issue you a certificate A. If you apply for the allowance for a longer period, request a more comprehensive Medical Statement B.
2. Apply for the allowance from Kela within two months of when your disability began. After a one-day waiting period, Kela will start paying you the YEL allowance for the first 9 days and thereafter the regular sickness allowance. The YEL allowance automatically converts into sickness allowance. You will receive the sickness allowance for a maximum of 300 weekdays.

Does my YEL insurance have to be in force during sick leave?

If you are on short sick leave, keep your YEL insurance in force. In our online service, you can also apply for more time to pay your YEL contribution during your sick leave.

If your work is interrupted for several months due to an illness or injury, it is usually worth terminating your YEL insurance. Terminate your insurance on the same date as the start date of disability confirmed by Kela. You can submit the termination notification in our self-employed person’s online service. If you resume your entrepreneurial activities after your illness, take out new YEL insurance.

Your YEL income determines the size of your sickness allowance. Apply to Kela for the allowance.

Read more about changing the YEL income >

Read more about requesting a payment extension >