New Act introduces new services and stronger support for persons with disabilities

The new Disability Services Act entered into force on 1 January 2025. The Act introduced entirely new services, and some familiar older services have been compiled under a new name. 

From the beginning of the year, services for persons with disabilities are available when the below two criteria are met:

• a person with a disability has a vital need for help or support in regular life due to a long-term physical, cognitive, psychological, social or sensory impairment caused by a disability or illness, and
• the services provided under primary legislation are unsuitable and inadequate. Primary legislation includes the Social Welfare Act, the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care, the Basic Education Act, the Health Care Act and the Act on Supporting the Functional Capacity of the Ageing Population and on Social and Health Care Services for Older People.

Services for persons with disabilities are always granted on the basis of an individual service needs assessment. In addition to the requirements concerning the scope of the application, the person must meet the service-specific requirements laid down in the Disability Services Act. 

As a result of the adoption of the new Disability Services Act, groups previously excluded from the legislation, such as neurodivergent people, will also be covered by legislation.

Decisions on services made based on the old legislation will remain valid for a transitional period of a maximum of three years, until the end of 2027. Decisions valid until further notice will also be valid for a maximum of three years from the adoption of the new Act. 

If you already have a valid decision on your services made under the old Act, you can personally contact the services for persons with disabilities. In this case, we will update your service decision and client plan to correspond to the new legislation as soon as possible. 

We will process all service requests made after 1 January 2025 in accordance with the new legislation.

The new Act introduced some new services, while some of the previous services have been compiled under a new name.

Coaching is a new service that enables individuals to learn skills necessary for independent living. Coaching is also helpful during major changes in life. It may include support such as:  

• communication instruction for children and young persons with disabilities
• housing-related coaching for persons with disabilities; and
• guidance on mobility skills for persons with disabilities..

Personal assistance is one of the services that has been available for longer. 

Special inclusion support helps persons with disabilities participate in social situations and leisure time activities. This support is intended for individuals who are unable to express their wishes either independently or with assistance, and for whom personal assistance is not suitable.

Supported decision-making helps persons with disabilities make and implement their decisions. Decision-making is a process, and support is needed throughout it. Support is available for issues such as obtaining information, understanding matters and considering alternatives.

Intensive multi-professional support is a service for highly challenging client situations that require multi-professional support.

The housing support service includes a range of familiar housing services, such as

• family care 
• 24-hour sheltered housing (intensified sheltered housing)
• supported housing
• housing support for a child..

Support for accessible housing includes  

• home alterations 
• home equipment, machinery and devices for persons with disabilities.

Short-term care also includes these old services

• morning and after-school care for pupils and students with disabilities
• holiday care for pupils and students with disabilities 
• short-term care for persons with disabilities.

Daytime activities were also provided during the validity of the old Act and will remain as a separate service.

Activities supporting employment and work activities include services also provided under the old Act such as

• work activities
• work activities for persons with developmental disabilities
• activities supporting employment.

Mobility support is formerly known as Transport service for persons with disabilities.

Financial support for people relying on a ventilator is a new service. Services for persons relying on a ventilator are covered by the Disability Services Act within a three-year transition period.

Financial support is one of the older, familiar services. It also includes a car purchase subsidy.
In addition, the Act includes an option for services that may be needed: Other services and support measures for persons with disabilities.

We updated the new service descriptions of disability services on our website. You can find them here: Services for disabled persons

For the Disability Services Act, see here: Disability Services Act 675/2023 - Current legislation - FINLEX ®(external link)