Processing times of applications for general social security benefit back to normal
The processing times of first-time applications for general social security benefit are now back to normal. This means that it takes Kela, on average, 3 weeks to process first-time applications and 1 week to process follow-up applications.
Kela has successfully caught up with its backlog in applications for general social security benefit (yleistuki) with processing times now back to normal. This means that it takes Kela, on average, 3 weeks to process first-time applications for general social security benefit with follow-up applications taking an average of 1 week to process.
Processing times were longer for a period of approximately 4 weeks in July and August due to an increased number of applications. The backlog affected first-time applications for general social security benefit, and customers had to wait longer than usual for a decision.
The reasons behind the increase in applications for general social security benefit during the summer included rising unemployment, students graduating and applications for general social security benefit being submitted by unemployed persons whose earnings-related unemployment allowance had ended.
Processing times expected to remain normal in autumn
Kela’s Centre for Unemployment Benefits estimates that the processing times for applications for general social security benefit will remain normal in autumn.
“The accumulation of such a large backlog was very unusual for Kela. We take our duty to stay within our usual processing times very seriously. That is why we made arrangements during the summer to prioritise our most important task from our customers’ perspective, which is the processing of applications for general social security benefit,” says Sarita Alarotu, Head of Kela’s Centre for Unemployment Benefits.
Check OmaKela for estimated processing times
Customers can go to the OmaKela e-service to see if Kela has received their application and if a decision has been issued. OmaKela is available in Finnish and Swedish. If there is no decision yet, OmaKela will show an estimate of the processing time.
General social security benefit is a new benefit that replaced previous unemployment benefits available from Kela, namely labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance, in May 2026.