The right to basic social assistance is determined by means of a calculation of income and expenses. The types of income and expenses taken into account are defined in the Act on Social Assistance.
- For the purpose of the calculation, income means the applicant's or the family's available net income after taxes as well as their assets. Assets means for example the savings deposited in a bank account.
- Expenses are defined as the basic amount and other basic expenses. The basic amount is the sum of money needed for the essential costs of daily living.
- If the recognised costs are higher than the income, applicants have the right to social assistance that covers the difference between costs and income.
Example
A resident of Sipoo, Sanna is unemployed and the single parent of two children under 10 years of age. She has no savings or other assets. Because of her difficult financial situation, she applies to Kela for basic social assistance.
The family's income is as follows:
- labour market subsidy + child increase €664.96
- child benefit + single-parent supplement €326.32
- housing allowance €592.80
- child maintenance allowance €334.70
The family's expenses are as follows:
- rent €810
- water charges €45
- basic amount linked to family size €1,255.11 (single parent €574.63 + first child 10 years or older €352.84 + second child 10 years or older €327.64)
Total income €1,918.78 - total expenses €2,110.11 = –€191.33
Sanna and her family are paid €191.33 in basic social assistance.
Social assistance is not subject to tax.
The amounts shown in the example are current as of 2021.
Social assistance is usually granted for one month at a time.If you have regular monthly income and expenses, you can apply for a longer period of time.
You can use this calculator (in Finnish) to estimate the amount of social assistance that you could get.