19/4/2024Kela recovered EUR 117 million in benefits in 2023In 2023, Kela recovered EUR 117 million in benefits that had been overpaid or paid to customers not entitled to benefit payments. At the end of the year, Kela still had recoverable benefits totalling more than EUR 137 million. Press release16/4/2024Kela releases 2024 edition of maternity package – quality and safety main criteria for productsThe 2024 edition of the maternity package contains 39 products. This year, quality has once again been the most important criterion when procuring products. Kela will start distributing the 2024 edition when stocks of the 2023 edition run out.Press release11/4/2024Families receiving private day care allowance must notify Kela of any changes in summertime child care arrangementsParents who receive private day care allowance payments must notify Kela of any changes in their child care arrangements during the summer or early autumn. Such changes may be relevant to the payment of the allowance. The notification can be made conveniently in the OmaKela e-service.Press release5/4/2024Students should return overpaid financial aid by the end of AprilStudents who want to voluntarily repay student financial aid for 2023 must do so by the end of April. If a student does not repay the overpaid financial aid by the end of April, Kela will recover the amount increased by 7.5%.Press release4/4/2024Modernisation of Kela benefit administration systems moves forward into negotiation phaseKela is modernising the information systems it uses for benefit administration and is now starting negotiations with suppliers.Press release3/4/2024Press release26/3/2024Information leaflet on changes to benefits available for customer guidance in several different languagesOn 1 April 2024, cuts will be made to the general housing allowance and unemployment benefits available from Kela. The benefits of around half a million customers will be affected. Our new information leaflets provide information on the changes in several languages.Press release26/3/2024Kela’s services are back to operating normallyThe technical problem affecting Kela’s services has been resolved and the services are now back to operating normally. The problem first occurred on 25 March and it partially prevented the use of Kela’s services. Because of this, the wait times for Kela's phone service may be longer than usual. The technical problem did not affect the payment of benefits.Press release26/3/2024Child benefit to be increased for children under the age of threeThe child benefit paid for children under the age of three has been increased by EUR 26 per month. Payment of the increased rate will begin with the child benefit payments for April. No action is required from customers, as Kela will apply the increase automatically.Press release25/3/20241.4.2024 benefit changes spare pensioners' housing allowance and child benefits from cutsThe housing allowances for pensioners will not be affected by the impending cuts in social security benefits. There will also be no reductions in child benefits. The cuts in social security coming into effect on 1 April 2024 will affect general housing allowances and unemployment benefits. Press release25/3/2024Easter affects Kela’s opening hours and payment schedulesBecause of Easter, unemployment status reports are filed and unemployment benefits paid earlier than usual. Customers whose application and supporting documents arrive at Kela by 15 March 2024 will have their social assistance payment deposited into their account before Easter. On Holy Thursday, 28 March 2024, regular customer service will be available until 13.00, while service for customers with an urgent need of social assistance will be available until 16.00.Press release19/3/2024Kela e-service now available in SámiKela has launched the first Sámi-language version of the OmaKela e-service. It is now possible to apply for some benefits and send supporting documents in the Sámi-language MuKela or MuuKela e-service. Press release18/3/2024Press release18/3/2024Cuts in general housing allowances and unemployment benefits will impact around 500,000 of Kela’s customers starting from 1 April 2024Several cuts will be made in April to the general housing allowances and unemployment benefits available from Kela. The benefits of around half a million customers will be affected. The cuts made to the unemployment benefits will reduce benefits right away in April. General housing allowances will be reduced when next reviewed, which will take place no later than March 2025. Press release6/3/2024Press release6/3/2024Press release22/2/2024Press release1/2/2024Kela launches procurement of information systems used in benefit administrationKela has plans to modernise the information systems it uses for benefit administration and is launching a public procurement for this purpose.Press release31/1/2024Kela services probably not impacted by the demonstration and political strikes scheduled for 31 January – 2 February 2024 It appears that Kela services will not be impacted by the demonstration that trade unions will hold on Thursday, 1 February 2024, and the political strike scheduled for 31 January to 2 February. While Kela taxis will not be targeted by the strike, it is a good idea to book a taxi as soon as possible.Press release31/1/2024How to check your client data if the service provider has ceased operations and the data has been transferred to KelaIf a private provider of healthcare and social welfare service ceases operations, it must ensure that the patient and client data are stored and archived securely. Different organisations can be responsible for storing and archiving the data. These instructions are for clients who want to check the patient data that has been transferred to Kela.Press release12345…8page 1/8