Are You Dissatisfied with the Fund’s Decision?

• You have the right to appeal decisions made by the unemployment fund. This also applies to decisions on benefit recovery.
• We make benefit decisions based on a labour policy statement. In addition, you must meet the specific conditions required to receive benefits. A negative decision may result either from the labour policy statement indicating that you are not entitled to benefits, or from you not meeting the other eligibility criteria.
• You can read more about these conditions in the sections on Earnings-Related Allowance LINKKI, Mobility Allowance LINKKI, and Transition Security LINKKI.
• Appeals must be made against the decision issued by the unemployment fund — you cannot appeal a labour policy statement directly to the employment authorities. However, it is recommended that you contact the employment authority and provide any additional information that may affect the statement already issueed.
• If you are dissatisfied with a labour policy statement, you should still first apply for the benefit from the unemployment fund. You can then appeal the fund’s decision, which is based on the statement provided by the employment authorities.
• If the fund is unable to rectify its decision, your appeal will be forwarded to the Social Security Appeals Board (Sosiaaliturva-asioiden muutoksenhakulautakunta i.e. SAMU) for review.

How to file an appeal

• Send your appeal to the unemployment fund without delay. It must be received no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after you were informed of the decision.
• Address your appeal to the Social Security Appeals Board (SAMU), but send it to the unemployment fund.
• You can conveniently submit your appeal electronically through Nettikassa LINKKI. Alternatively, you may deliver the appeal to the fund in person or via a representative, mail, or courier.

There is no specific form for filing an appeal — it should be written freely in your own words.

Include at Least the Following Information:

• the decision (and decision number) you are appealing
• the date on which you received the decision.
• which parts of the decision you are requesting to be changed.
• why you are requesting a change — your reasons and justification.
• your name, municipality of residence, and contact details, so that we can contact you if needed as your appeal is being processed
• attach any documents you are referring to in your appeal — but only if you have not already submitted them earlier.

If you use a power of attorney

If your legal representative or agent is acting on your behalf, or if someone else has prepared the appeal for you, the application must also include that person’s name, municipality of residence, and contact details, in addition to your own information. Remember to attach the power of attorney LINKKI!

How your appeal will be processed

• Once we receive your appeal, we will review the accuracy of our decision.
• If there is an error in the fund’s decision, we will correct it.
•  If your appeal concerns a decision based on a labour policy statement, we will request a new statement or response from the employment authorities.
•  If the labour policy statement is not changed, we will forward your appeal for review to the Social Security Appeals Board (SAMU), which is the first stage of appeal.
• If the labour policy statement is changed, we will revise our decision accordingly.
• If you are not satisfied with SAMU’s decision, you may appeal to the second stage, which is the Insurance Court (Vakuutusoikeus i.e. VAKO). In that case as well, send your appeal to the fund following the same instructions mentioned above.