Application processing times and inquiries

Each year, Kela's Board of Directors sets target times for the processing of applications for key benefits. The application processing time is calculated from the registration of an incoming application to the issuance of a decision on it. The target time is expressed as an average, so actual processing times may vary somewhat in either direction.

Target processing times for selected benefit applications in 2013

One week
  • Unemployment benefits (new applications 2 weeks)


Two weeks

  • Rehabilitation Allowance
  • Special Care Allowance
  • Reimbursements for medical and travel expenses
  • Financial aid for students
  • School Transport Subsidy
  • Conscript's Allowance
  • Maternity Grant


Three weeks

  • Entitlements to reimbursement of medicine expenses
  • Child Home Care Allowance / Private Day Care Allowance
  • Family benefits
  • Sickness Allowance
  • General Housing Allowance


Four weeks

  • Coverage under the Finnish social security system
  • Entitlements to additiobal reimbursement of medicine expenses
  • Child Maintenance Allowance


Five weeks

  • Rehabilitation determinations
  • Housing Allowance for Pensioners
 


Six weeks

  • Disability benefits
  • Waiver of child support debt


Eight weeks

  • National pensions, including the disability pension and Guarantee pensions

 


Not all applications can be determined within the target time. Commonly, this is because the application is missing relevant information or documents, which must be requested from the applicant. To find out if Kela has received or perhaps already decided your application, use Kela's online service (Finnish/Swedish only) or a call a customer service number.

Updated 03/19/13