Social assistance

The purpose of social assistance is to secure the livelihood of an individual or a family and to help them cope independently. It is a last-resort form of financial assistance of the social welfare services. You can apply for basic social assistance from Kela. You can be eligible for supplementary social assistance in special or unexpected circumstances. Supplementary and preventive social assistance is granted by the social services. The aim of preventive social assistance is to promote individuals' and families' social security and independent living. Additionally, it aims to prevent social exclusion and long-term dependence on social assistance. Preventive social assistance may be granted if it is necessary for improving your living situation or for alleviating difficulties, for example, if your financial situation suddenly deteriorates or if you are over-indebted. Granting preventive social assistance does not depend on whether you are entitled to basic social assistance. Instead, your financial situation will be taken into account as it is. You can apply for supplementary and preventive social assistance from the social services of the wellbeing services county on the basis of either a positive or negative decision from Kela regarding basic social assistance. You can also submit the application to Kela while applying for basic social assistance, and Kela will submit the application to the social services at your request. You will receive a decision on social assistance within seven working days and, in urgent situations, on the next working day. Granting social assistance is based on legislation (Act on Social Assistance 1412/1997).

Conditions for receiving the Service

The Wellbeing Services County grants supplementary and preventive social assistance for the necessary expenses that are not in the scope of Kela's basic social assistance. Granting the assistance is subject to discretion and is always assessed on a case-by-case basis. Preventive social assistance may be granted if it is necessary for improving your living situation or for alleviating difficulties. The purpose of the assistance is to prevent social exclusion and long-term dependence on social assistance. Granting preventive social assistance does not depend on whether you are entitled to basic social assistance. Instead, your financial situation will be taken into account as it is You can apply for basic social assistance from Kela. To be eligible for supplementary or preventive social assistance, you must first have received a positive or negative decision on basic social assistance from Kela. Supplementary and preventive social assistance is a last-resort form of financial assistance under social welfare, which means that we will guide you to apply for other primary benefits first, if necessary. Granting social assistance is based on the Act on Social Assistance (1412/1997).

The service is free of charge.