How to appeal a decision

If you think that the decision you received from Kela on your application is wrong, you can appeal to have Kela amend it. Write the appeal in your own words. You may wish to use this form for reference.

If you do not use the form, your appeal must indicate

  • your name, social security number, address and phone number
  • the matter the appeal concerns and the decision you are contesting
  • on what grounds you are contesting the decision.

Remember to sign the appeal.

Where to appeal?

Take the appeal to Kela office. If the decision was issued by some other organization (for example a workplace sickness fund or financial aid authority), you should appeal to the issuer of the decision.

File your appeal within 30 days of the date on which you received the written decision on your application for benefit. This is considered to have taken place seven days after the date of mailing indicated on the decision.

The decision will be re-examined by Kela and, if found to be wrong, amended. The amended decision will be mailed to you.

Appealing to the Social Security Appeal Board

If Kela declines to amend the decision, it will forward your appeal to the Social Security Appeal Board. You have a further right of appeal to the Insurance Court, which is the highest court of appeal. Both will issue you with a written decision on your appeal.

The first court of appeal for the following benefits is the Social Security Appeal Board:

  • Adoption Grant
  • Child Benefit
  • Child Home Care or Private Day Care Allowance
  • Child Maintenance Allowance
  • Conscript's Allowance
  • Disability benefits
  • General Housing Allowance
  • Guarantee pension
  • Housing Allowance for Pensioners
  • Maternity Grant
  • Maternity, Paternity and Parental Allowance
  • National Pension
  • Occupational health services
  • Pensioners' Care Allowance
  • Pension Assistance
  • Special Care Allowance
  • Rehabilitation Allowance
  • Rehabilitation decision
  • Reimbursements of medical expenses
  • Sickness Allowance
  • Survivors' pensions

The first court of appeal for the following benefits is the Unemployment Appeal Board:

  • Basic Unemployment Allowance
  • Job Alternation Compensation
  • Labour Market Subsidy
  • Training Allowance
  • Training Subsidy

The first court of appeal for the following benefits is the Student Financial Aid Review Board

  • Financial aid for students
  • School Transport Subsidy

Contact information for the appellate bodies

Social Security Appeal Board
Siltasaarenkatu 12 A
PO Box 330, 00531 Helsinki
Tel. 0295 16001
Custoner service 0295 163 800
www.somla.fi (in Finnish and Swedish)

Unemployment Appeal Board
PO Box 121, 00531 Helsinki
Tel. 0295 16001
www.ttlk.fi (in Finnish and Swedish)

Student Financial Aid Review Board
Toinen Linja 17, 4 floor
PO Box 386, 00531 Helsinki
Tel. 0295 333 000, (09) 160 01
www.opintotuenmuutoksenhakulautakunta.fi (in Finnish)

Insurance Court
Ratapihantie 9
PO Box 1005, 00521 Helsinki
Tel. 029 564 3200
www.oikeus.fi/vakuutusoikeus

Updated 04/11/13