Update on the coronavirus situation
This page contains concise information on how the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) affects Kela’s benefits and services. During the epidemic, there may be delays in the processing of applications. The page will be updated as the situation evolves.
- Reimbursement for the costs for face masks
- The benefits you can get in different situations
- Application and supporting documentation
- When are decisions due?
- Recovery of overpayments
- Press releases
Reimbursement for the costs for face masks
According to the recommendation on the use of face masks, everyone should obtain the face masks themselves. If a recommendation on the use of face masks is in force in the municipality, the municipal authorities must make sure that those in the most vulnerable position get face masks free of charge.
Kela does not pay any separate reimbursement to cover the costs for face masks. The costs for face masks are included in the basic amount of the social assistance.
The benefits you can get in different situations
Application and supporting documentation
If possible, send your applications and supporting documents online.
- Documents photographed with a phone are accepted if the picture is clear and legible.
- Online you can also see if any supporting documents are missing or if the application must be supplemented in some other way.
- If information is missing from your application or if you are expected to do something, we will contact you. Remember to state a phone number where you can be reached.
You can also send applications to Kela by mail to the address
Kansaneläkelaitos
PL 10
00056 KELA
The application forms can be printed from Kela’s website.
If you do not have a device or Internet connection of your own, you can call Kela’s telephone service.
When are decisions due?
Online you can check up to date information about average application processing times per benefit.
For information about the processing of your application, sign in to Kela’s online service (available in Finnish or Swedish).
Kela’s customer service can help you with filling in or completing your application. The customer service does not have more exact information about when you will get a decision to your application.
Recovery of overpayments
Kela and the customer can agree that the recovery of overpaid benefits or guaranteed student loan debt is suspended. The recovery can be suspended by 6 months if you experience economic hardship because of the exceptional situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak. However, the recovery of child support debt or the recovery of healthcare fee for higher education students cannot be suspended.
If you would like the recovery process to be suspended temporarily, you must ask for it by 30 April 2021. After the temporary suspension is over, you will continue to pay back the debt as agreed with Kela’s Overpayment Recovery Centre.
Read more
- Effects on benefits – Frequently asked questions
- Sickness allowance on account of an infectious disease
- Unemployment benefit in the coronavirus situation
- Social assistance in the coronavirus situation
- Current information about the coronavirus outbreak for employers (in Finnish)
- Current information about the coronavirus outbreak for cooperation partners (in Finnish)
What's new
-
Infectious disease allowance is available also to workers who are not covered under the Finnish National Health Insurance scheme -
Several temporary changes to the unemployment laws extended to 31 March 2021 -
Kela’s opening hours over Christmas and New Year -
Apply in time for December’s social assistance payment