Government proposes changes to the Act on Child Maintenance Allowance from 1 January 2026
The Finnish Government is proposing amendments to the Act on Child Maintenance Allowance. If the government proposal passes in Parliament, Kela will be able to review the income and tax data of a person liable for the maintenance of a child and to notify the wellbeing services county if there are any changes in the person's financial situation. The changes are planned to go into effect on 1 January 2026.
If the proposed amendments to the Act on Child Maintenance Allowance pass into law, Kela will gain the right to review the finances of a person liable for maintenance provided that certain conditions are met. Review will be possible in cases where child maintenance allowance has been applied for or granted on the grounds that the person liable for maintenance has a reduced ability to provide it, and also in cases where the person liable for maintenance has repeatedly been granted payment exemptions.
Kela would then be able to disclose information on the finances of a person liable for maintenance of a child to the wellbeing services county if the person’s ability to provide maintenance needs to be reassessed. Even if the proposal passes and the Act on Child Maintenance Allowance is amended, Kela will still not have the power to decide the amount of child support. Kela will only be able to notify the wellbeing services county in cases where Kela finds that the financial situation of the person liable for the maintenance of a child has changed.
Even after the amendment of the law, the person liable for maintenance will still be primarily responsible for notifying the wellbeing services county of any changes in their financial situation that may affect their ability to provide maintenance to the child. Notification is required so that the amount of child support can be adjusted to match their actual ability to provide maintenance, if their situation has changed.
If the proposal is approved by Parliament, the changes will come into effect on 1 January 2026.
We will provide more information on any changes and their timing once Parliament has reviewed the government proposal.
The proposed legislative amendments have not yet been approved by Parliament. You do not have to contact us about this.
The proposed amendments to the law will not affect the child maintenance allowance paid by Kela. Even after the changes take effect, you as the person liable for the maintenance of a child have a duty to inform your wellbeing services county of any changes in your ability to provide maintenance to that child, so that the amount of child support can be adjusted to match your actual maintenance ability.
We will provide more information on any changes and their timing once Parliament has reviewed the government proposal.