Recovery of overpayments

If a benefit has been paid to a too high amount or without grounds, Kela has to recover the overpayment.The reason for recovery is often the customer's neglect to inform Kela about changed circumstances in time and benefits have then been paid to the customer.

You will receive a separate decision about the recovery stating the amount of the overpayment, the due date, and other payment details. The amount overpaid must be repaid to Kela in a single payment.

In certain situations, Kela can waive recovery or reduce the amount being recovered.

Repayment of the amount overpaid

If you cannot afford to pay the amount being recovered, Kela can deduct it in instalments from the benefits it pays to you. The minimum amount deducted monthly is €30.

If you are being paid a benefit which is the same or comparable to that for which you have accrued repayable debt, Kela is authorised under law to collect the debt, without your consent, by withholding it from your current benefit.

If you are not currently being paid any benefits by Kela, you can make a separate repayment agreement with Kela's Overpayment Recovery Unit. You can find the contact information of the unit handling your case on the notice of decision informing you of the recovery of the overpayment.

Kela is authorised also to collect the overpayment by garnishing your tax refunds. This is possible even if you have made an instalment repayment plan with Kela and have kept up with scheduled payments.

Visit Kela's online customer service to check your repayment status

By logging in to Kela's online service (only in Finnish and Swedish) with your web banking codes you can view the data on the benefits subject to recovery.You can at any time check how much of the benefit still has to be recovered and for which time period the benefit is recovered.The service shows benefits subject to recovery, child support debt and guarantee liability debts on student loans.All recovery matters, such as recovery of legal expenses, do not show in the service.

Payment reminder and enforcement

If you have not paid the benefit being recovered and not agreed on a payment plan with Kela, Kela will send a reminder.The first payment reminder is sent 2 weeks after the payment becomes overdue and the second reminder is sent after the following 2 weeks.If you have not paid the debt and not contacted Kela even after two reminders, the debt will be transferred to the enforcement authorities for recovery.

Contact Kela without delay if you notice that you cannot pay the benefit being recovered according to the payment plan. In that way, a new payment plan can be drawn up for you.

 

Updated 03/19/13