Child benefit for under 17-year-olds

Kela pays child benefit for children under the age of 17 who are living in Finland. You receive child benefit from the beginning of the month following the birth of the child.

Child benefit is paid until the end of the calendar month when

• the child reaches the age of 17
• the child moves abroad* or
• the child starts to receive disability pension under the National Pensions Act from the following month.

*In some cases, child benefit may also be paid for children living abroad. Find out more under moving abroad.

Payment days

Child benefit is paid on the 26th of the month. If the payment day is a Sunday or a public holiday, Saturday, Midsummer, or the day following a public holiday, child benefit is paid on the preceding banking day.

Child benefit is paid to the parent with whom the child lives. Kela receives information about this from the local register office. If the child moves, the parents must report the change of address. You can notify of changes in payment details online (in Finnish) or by completing a form (Y 121e).

Child benefit can also be paid to other custodian and, exceptionally, to a child who has reached the age of 15. If the child is in a children's home or in family care, child benefit can also be paid to the local authority or family carer.

Updated 12/19/12

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