Disabled veterans no longer have to pay rent in service housing

According to an amendment to the Military Injuries Act that takes effect on 1 April, disabled war veterans living in service housing will no longer have to pay rent or other housing costs. The wellbeing services county will pay these costs with appropriations granted by the State Treasury to cover the costs of outpatient services for disabled veterans.

The change does not apply to conscripts or peacekeepers within the scope of the Military Injuries Act who were disabled before 1991. It also does not apply to front-line veterans who are covered by another law.

Until now, permanent institutional care for disabled veterans has been free of charge at State Treasury contract institutions and in public institutional care units. However, the number of institutions providing such care has decreased, and the aim of the legislative amendment is to ensure that disabled veterans can continue living in their home regions. The State Treasury's contract institutions still provide high-quality and versatile care, which the State Treasury monitors through various qualitative inspections.

Although services for disabled veterans have been free of charge in these housing facilities until now, disabled veterans have had to pay the rent themselves. For example, services that support care, meals, cleaning and mobility have been provided at no cost. A service housing unit can be 24-hour or community-based care, a private service housing unit to which the disabled veteran has applied independently, or a service housing unit run by the wellbeing services county.

If a disabled veteran has been receiving a housing allowance from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA), this will end when the amendment takes effect. A disabled veteran or member of their family must notify KELA of the change.

Further information:
soveinfo@valtiokonttori.fi