If your child is sick

If your child is sick, you can take him or her to the municipal health centre or to a private doctor. Part of the cost of treatment by a doctor and dentist in private practice and the examinations and treatments ordered by the doctor are reimbursed by Kela by virtue of the Health Insurance Act. Kela will not reimburse the cost of treatment at a health centre.

Reimbursement of prescription medicines and an extra reimbursement of high cost of medication are also available. It is possible to receive a travel and accommodation allowance to help with the child's and an accompanying adult's travel costs to receive treatment and undergo medical examinations.

Temporary care leave of 4 working days

When the child is under 10 years of age and suddenly falls ill, you can take temporary care leave to stay at home and look after the child. This leave may last a maximum of 4 working days. Either parent can take temporary care leave, but not both at the same time. Care leave is meant for looking after a sick child or for organising child care. A parent who does not live in the same household with the child is also eligible for care leave. The employer need not pay the wages for the duration of temporary care leave. The eligibility for temporary care leave is based on the Employment Contracts Act (Ministry of Employment and the Economy). You are not eligible for benefits from Kela during temporary care leave.

Longer-term illness

If you have to stay away from work for a longer period because you are looking after a seriously ill or disabled child under 16 years of age, you can claim special care allowance from Kela. Your child may also be eligible for rehabilitation supported by Kela. Seriously ill or disabled children may be entitled to disability allowance.

Informal care support from the local authority

The social welfare office of the local municipality may pay out informal care support to a relative looking after an ill or disabled child. The municipality and carer draw up a mutual contract on informal care support. This contract always includes a care and service plan.

The care support is paid as stepped payments according to the binding nature and level of requirements of the care. The minimum amount of care support is €310.44 per month. If the carer is unable to go to work during a demanding transition period in terms of care, the minimum amount of care support is €600 per month. The support is taxable income subject to employee contribution, which accrues pension cover for the carer. However, the carer is not employed by the municipality, the person to be cared or the parent or guardian of the person to be cared. Further information is available from the social welfare office of the local authority.

Updated 10/22/12