Housing allowance for pensioners

You are eligible for the housing allowance for pensioners if you are living permanently in Finland, you have a low income and

If you are under 65, live alone and are paid a pension which does not give you eligibility for the housing allowance for pensioners, you can be paid general housing allowance until you are 65. After reaching age 65, you will become eligible for the housing allowance for pensioners at the beginning of the month following your birthday.

If both your spouse and yourself are paid pensions or other benefits that make you eligible for the housing allowance for pensioners, and you both are 65 or older, you must file a joint application for the housing allowance for pensioners. Kela will split the allowance between the two of you. If you are married and only your spouse is entitled to the housing allowance for pensioners, Kela will pay all of the allowance to him or her.

The amount of the housing allowance for pensioners is affected by many factors, so estimating it can be difficult. You can use a benefit calculator to find out whether you qualify and how much you can get.

Updated 03/06/13