Automated decisions at Kela

Kela uses automation for routine tasks that do not require any case-by-case deliberation. Automated decisions are decisions made without human input.

Kela makes automated decisions only if the issues involved are completely indisputable. Decisions can be automated if the issue can be resolved by applying the relevant legislation and on the basis of the equivocal facts known to Kela. Logical rules based on machine learning or statistical or scientific modelling are not used to make automated decisions.

Using automation for routine tasks speeds up the delivery of customer service and improves its quality. Kela can reallocate the resources that become available towards customer advice and support.

Automated decisions contain text that indicates that the decision was made automatically. They also specify where customers can get more information about the decision. Further, the decisions contain instructions for submitting an appeal.

Kela makes automated decisions in the following contexts:

• benefit rate adjustments based in law
• cancelling certain benefits if the customer does not respond to a request for information made in connection with the interim review of the benefit
• cancelling a benefit based on information automatically updated from a register (for example the recipient's age or death), or other clear and undisputed fact
• award of student financial aid benefits, if the award is made as per application
• temporary cancellation of  student financial aid benefits at the customer’s request
• cancellation of financial aid benefits who do not respond to a request for information on academic progress
• review of student financial aid benefits based on updated information on parental income
• granting a government guarantee for student loans for the following year
• award of the appropriation for teaching materials and supplies
• review of sickness allowance on the basis of the salary information provided by the employer
• award of the maternity grant
• award of the child benefit
• award of the municipal supplement to the child care allowance
• award of compensation for holiday pay expenses and family leave costs to employers
• cancellation of basic unemployment allowance after the end of the maximum payment period
• award of the labour market subsidy after the end of the maximum payment period for the basic unemployment allowance
• review of the labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance at the end of the maximum payment period for the supplementary amount paid during participation in employment-promoting services
• cancellation of unemployment benefits on the basis of a labour policy statement
• payment of the basic amount of the surviving spouse’s continuing pension, when this basic amount has already been granted in connection with the granting of the surviving spouse’s starting pension
• denial of social assistance if the customer has not submitted bank statements and there are no other factors that would prevent automated processing
• cancellation or rectification of general housing allowance if the recipient of the general housing allowance has been granted a pension or rehabilitation decision
• issuance of a decision concerning the identity of the recipient of a national pension, a guarantee pension, the housing allowance for pensioners or the care allowance for pensioners, where the decision is issued based on information provided by a guardian or legal representative

In addition, proposed decisions on student financial aid benefits may be issued automatically. A proposed decision becomes final if the recipient does not request a review.