Appeal proceedings in Finland
The appellate procedure in social security matters varies according to the benefit in question and the authority which made the decision.
Decisions by Kela may be appealed against primarily by sending a free-form letter of appeal to the office which made the decision. If Kela does not consider it possible to correct the decision in the manner requested, it forwards the appeal to the relevant Appeal Board. It is further possible to appeal against the decision of the Appeal Board to the Insurance Court, which is the highest and last level of appeal.
A final decision issued by a municipality may usually be appealed against to the Administrative Court. The Administrative Court determines, on the basis of the appeal, whether the appealed decision is lawful. In case of dissatisfaction with the decision of the Administrative Court, an appeal may in certain cases be lodged with the Supreme Administrative Court.
Anyone who believes that an authority, an official or other party performing a public task has violated fundamental or human rights, or in some other way acted unlawfully may file a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Chancellor of Justice. The Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice cannot investigate the matter, if it is subject of an appeal.
Updated 10/22/12