Revised Eligibility Criteria for Informal Care Support for Children Under 18
Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County has decided to revise the eligibility criteria for Category 1 informal care support for care recipients under the age of 18. These changes will come into effect on 3 March 2025. The goal is to ensure that informal care support is directed toward the families most in need.
The support is prioritized for young people with severe disabilities or chronic illnesses who require intensive, long-term care. For example, while children under 3 often need significant care and supervision, support will now focus on those whose needs go beyond what’s typical for their age.
Previously, the criteria were broad and didn’t account for other services or benefits the child might be receiving. Under the new criteria, both the need for care and its scope will be more precisely defined. Occasional overnight care needs will be considered under the Informal Care Act, and the extent of out‑of‑home care has also been specified.
Informal care support will still include services and an allowance. However, under the new criteria, the allowance is reserved for situations where the caregiver takes on primary responsibility for the child’s care—beyond what is normally expected for the child’s age.
Families will no longer be eligible for informal care support if the child receives a significant amount of other services. This includes situations where the child spends more than eight hours a day in care outside the home or relies heavily on additional services. The restriction also applies to short-term care.
The changes are expected to affect around 150 recipients of informal care support. As of November 2024, 633 children and adolescents were receiving informal care support. It's worth noting that the care needs in Category 1 are lower than in other categories.
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