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.

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.

Benefit

1. First court of appeal

Final court of appeal

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

Social Security Appeal Board

Insurance Court
 

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

Unemployment Appeal Board

Insurance Court
 

Financial aid for students
School Transport Subsidy

Student Financial Aid Review Board

Insurance Court

Contact information for the appellate bodies

Social Security Appeal Board
Siltasaarenkatu 12 A
PO Box 330, 00531 Helsinki
Tel. 0295 16001
Customer 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
Lönnrotinkatu 18
PO Box 338, 00121 Helsinki
Tel. 029 564 3200
www.oikeus.fi/vakuutusoikeus

Updated 10/31/12