Work ability

From the age of 16, a person’s ability to enter the labour market is assessed, as well as what opportunities he or she has to succeed there. Work ability is assessed by the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Before applying for the assessment, it is important that, within the past 6 months, you have visited your family physician or a medical specialist who describes all the necessary medical data for the assessment of work ability and enters them into the e-health system. You should definitely inform your doctor that you are planning to apply for assessment of work ability. That way the doctor can pay attention to the data needed.

For assessment of work ability, an application must be submitted to the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund that describes your operational capacity and limitations in performing various activities. The questions are concerned with mobility, dexterity, skills, communication, etc.

You can submit an application for assessment of work ability in the following ways:

  • at the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund e-service.
  • In the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund County office with the assistance of a case manager.
  • By sending an electronic application form (digitally signed) by e-mail to the general e-mail address of the County office.
  • On paper (signed) by post to the general address of the County office.

A medical expert who is not an employee of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund will provide an assessment of work ability. The medical expert assesses the work ability based on the application and medical data and, if needed, asks for additional information from other doctors and experts. If, for some reason, it is not possible to assess the work ability based on the documents, the medical expert may invite you to an appointment. It is important to understand that the medical expert does not diagnose or provide medical treatment – a medical doctor does that. In a face-to-face meeting with the medical expert, you have a chance to explain the answers on your application. At the appointment, the medical expert talks to you, conducts operational capacity tests and, if needed, includes a team of experts to assess the work ability. As a result of the assessment of the documents and, if necessary, the appointment, the medical expert provides an opinion to the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, on the basis of which a decision concerning the assessment of work ability is made.

Based on that, one of the following is established:

  • Full ability – the individual is not restricted by any reasons arising from their state of health.
  • Partial ability – the individual is partially restricted by reasons arising from their state of health.
  • No ability – the individual is incapable of working due to their state of health and reasons arising therefrom.

On the basis of the decision concerning the assessment of work capability, you have the right to receive work capability allowance.

As of 01.04.2020, the current daily rate of Work capability allowance is 14.89 euros, of which the amount of allowance per calendar day is:

  • for a person with partial work ability – 57% of the daily rate (8.4873 euros per day, on average 254.62 euros per month);
  • for a person with no work ability – 100% of the daily rate (14.89 euros per day, on average 446.70 euros per month).

In case of partial or no work ability, the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund will send by post the work ability plastic card, which is valid together with an identity document.

Please note that if it has been established that you have partial work ability and you want to receive the allowance, you are required to meet the activity conditions: working, looking for work, studying, etc. For example, the activity condition is considered to be met if you are caring for a family member with a severe or profound disability or a disabled person.

For more information, please contact the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund via their helpline 15501 or by e-mail info@tootukassa.ee

Find more information on our website:

Illustratsioon: Mees ja naine arvutite taga töötamas.
TOP