Financial support for families with children

Financial and debt counselling - The National Legal Services Authority(external link) | The financial and debt counselling services provided by legal aid offices offer advice on everyday financial matters, such as planning spending and staying within a budget, as well as help with debt-related issues. Financial and debt counselling does not provide financial assistance or money. The service is free of charge and organised by the state.

Ruoka-apu.fi – More than just food(external link) | Here you can search for food distribution points and community meals in your local area.

Some churches in Finland provide financial support for people experiencing financial hardship.

Through the links below, you can apply for support through church diaconal work.

• Rahahuolia - Evl.fi(external link) | Diaconal work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• Sosiaalinen apu - The Salvation Army (external link) | The Salvation Army’s financial assistance and food distribution
• Taloudellinen apu(external link) | Orthodox Church of Finland

• Guarantee Foundation (Takuusäätiö): helping people take control of their finances(external link) | Takuusäätiö supports people in coping with everyday financial matters and managing debts. Services are free of charge.
• Kun on tahtoa, on toivoa - Hope – Yhdessä & Yhteisesti ry(external link) | Hope ry provides clothing and item donations to low-income families and families experiencing a crisis. They also offer hobby support and leisure experiences for children and young people.

• Tukikummit Foundation – for the benefit of children and young people(external link) | Tukikummit ensures that every child and young person has the opportunity to take part in a hobby and feel included.
• Kun on tahtoa, on toivoa - Hope – Yhdessä & Yhteisesti ry(external link) | Hope ry offers hobby support and leisure experiences for children and young people.
• Harrastustuki - Pelastakaa Lapset(external link) | Save the Children Finland grants hobby support for children and young people under 18 when continuing (or starting) a hobby is at risk due to the family’s tight financial situation.
• Support for hobbies – SOS Children’s Villages Finland(external link) | SOS Children’s Villages’ “Unelmista totta” hobby support helps ensure every young person can participate and have a hobby.
• Supplementary and preventive social assistance | Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County can grant supplementary social assistance for children’s hobby activities. The condition is that the family already receives basic social assistance from Kela.

Many sports clubs and organisers of arts and music activities also offer fee waivers for hobby fees. It’s worth contacting the organiser directly to ask about possible fee waivers. 

Individual customers| Kela(external link) | You can apply to the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) for social assistance and other financial benefits at different stages of life and in crisis situations.