Rehabilitation allowance for young persons may be abolished – support from Kela still available

The Government is preparing a legislative amendment to abolish the rehabilitation allowance for young persons. If the amendment passes into law, the allowance will cease to exist as a separate benefit on 1 August 2026. Even after the change, young persons can get support for their education or training from Kela under the vocational rehabilitation scheme. This means that if a student is granted vocational rehabilitation in the form of education or training, Kela will pay them rehabilitation allowance for the duration of their studies. The allowance will be paid at the same rate as rehabilitation allowance for young persons.

The Government is preparing a draft government proposal on the abolition of the rehabilitation allowance for young persons. If the proposal passes into law, the majority of young persons who are currently paid the allowance will qualify for vocational rehabilitation in the form of education or training and for rehabilitation allowance paid on its basis.

Vocational rehabilitation helps young persons plan their future and find the right field of study or a job, among other things.

Kela can grant vocational rehabilitation in the form of education or training to students whose ability to work or study has declined significantly because of an illness or disability.  Students who participate in education or training that Kela recognises as a form of vocational rehabilitation can also get rehabilitation allowance from Kela during their studies.

Are you planning to apply for rehabilitation allowance for young persons?

If you are planning to apply for rehabilitation allowance for young persons for your studies, we recommend that you apply for vocational rehabilitation in the form of education or training and rehabilitation allowance instead. If you do so now, the potential future legislative amendment will not affect your benefits. 

If you apply for vocational rehabilitation in the form of education or training instead of rehabilitation allowance for young persons, you do not need to send Kela a copy of the personal study and rehabilitation plan your wellbeing services county has issued to you.

More information about how to apply for vocational rehabilitation.

Has Kela already granted you rehabilitation allowance for young persons?

If Kela has already granted you rehabilitation allowance for young persons, you will continue to get it as usual for now and you do not have to do anything. We will keep you up to date on any future changes.

More information

Frequently asked questions about the changes proposed to the rehabilitation allowance for young persons (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, in Finnish)