Disability Allowance for persons under 16 years of age

Children under 16 can be paid disability allowance if they have a long-term illness or injury. The name of the benefit has changed, and it was known before as Child Disability Allowance.

Children under 16 can get disability allowance if they have an illness or injury that creates a need for care and rehabilitation that lasts at least 6 months and imposes particular strain and requires a greater commitment than the care of non-disabled children of the same age.

Disability allowance can be paid for a specified period only or until the child reaches the age of 16 years. The length of payment depends on how long the strain imposed by the child's illness or injury and the commitment it requires are expected to last. While some illnesses can last a lifetime, the strain they impose and the commitment they require may change as the child grows and develops. An allowance granted for a specified period only can be extended upon application.

The disability allowance is discontinued on the child's 16th birthday, at which point the child may become entitled to a Disability Allowance for persons aged 16 years or over or Rehabilitation Allowance. If the child retires, he/she may apply for Care Allowance for Pensioners. Applications for these follow-up allowances should be filed with Kela well before the child's 16th birthday.

If the family moves abroad

Kela pays disability allowance usually only for children who live in Finland or for children who live abroad temporarily (i.e. for less than a year). In some cases the allowance is payable for children living a longer period in another EU/EEA country if their parents are covered under the Finnish social security system while employed abroad. Read more in the section Moving to or from Finland.

Updated 10/22/12