Assistive devices for work or study

Do you need an assistive device due to a medical condition or disability to help make working or studying easier? Kela can grant you an assistive device as a form of vocational rehabilitation.

What is an assistive device?

Kela can grant you an assistive device as a form of vocational rehabilitation to support you in your work or studies. An assistive device can

• help you manage better despite your medical condition or disability
• support your ability to work or study
• help you do the essential tasks related to your work or studies.

Your assistive device is intended for personal use only, and it will help you do the key tasks related to your work or studies.

If you want to apply for an assistive device for your work as a form of vocational rehabilitation, check with your employer before you apply to make sure that you can use the assistive device in your work.

Can you get an assistive device?

You can get an assistive device if

• you cannot work or study without an assistive device due to a medical condition or disability
• working or studying is difficult for you without an assistive device
• an assistive device can support your ability to work or study or to earn a living or prevent you from becoming unfit for work
• you need an assistive device for your individual needs.

Kela can grant an assistive device to help with studies starting from the 7th year of comprehensive school at the earliest.

Use and maintenance of assistive devices

Kela can give you instructions on how to use your assistive device after Kela has granted it to you. Kela will take care of the maintenance and repairs of your assistive device on the condition that you use it for work or study.

How to apply

If you want to apply for an assistive device as a form of vocational rehabilitation, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application:

• a medical statement B (B-lausunto) from a doctor or some other kind of medical documentation that has the same information as a medical statement B
• a recommendation from an expert stating that you would benefit from an assistive device, such as a statement on an assessment of your need for an assistive device (apuvälinekartoituksen lausunto).

Do as follows once you have the supporting documents you need:

1. Fill in the application form for an assistive device KU 103 (in Finnish, PDF).

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the form directly in the browser because some of the information may not be saved that way.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Save the completed application form on your device. Note that the application must be in PDF format.
2. Send the application in the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish and Swedish).

   • Log in to OmaKela and select Tee hakemus (Submit an application).
   • First select Sairastaminen ja kuntoutus (Sickness and rehabilitation). Then select Kuntoutus – tee hakemus (Rehabilitation – Submit an application). Finally, select Apuvälineet (Assistive devices).
   • If you send your application in OmaKela, you do not need to sign it.
3. If you have supporting documents, send them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph them. Submit the following with your application:

   • a medical statement B or other corresponding medical documentation
   • a recommendation from an expert stating that you would benefit from an assistive device, such as a statement on an assessment of your need for an assistive device (apuvälinekartoituksen lausunto).
4. Visit OmaKela to see if Kela has made a decision on your application.

If you cannot use OmaKela, mail your application to Kela. Save the form to your device and fill it in after saving it. Print out the completed form and send it and any supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.