How basic social assistance is reviewed by Kela | Our Services | KelaSkip to content

How basic social assistance is reviewed by Kela

Kela reviews the basic social assistance if there are changes in your own or your family's circumstances which are relevant to the amount of the assistance.

Report changes via the e-service (in Finnish and in Swedish) or on basic social assistance application form TO1e (PDF).

The review may result in the amount of basic social assistance being reduced or increased.

If it is reduced (for example because your other income has increased), any overpayment of social assistance overpaid may be taken into account when estimating the amount of social assistance for future months. In other words, you will not be required to pay it back but future payments of social assistance may be smaller than would otherwise be the case. Kela will contact you as needed before reviewing the assistance. If you have earnings that were not yet known when the decision on social assistance was made, such earnings can be taken into account afterwards, should an application for social assistance be made within the next two calendar months.

If the amount of assistance increases as a result of the review, the payment will be deposited to your account within two business days of the date of decision.

If the amount of social assistance is reviewed because of a change in family circumstances, the review is made starting from the date when the change occurred.

Kela may be advised of changes in your circumstances or need for assistance through some other channels, such as when you move house.

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Last modified 28/3/2023