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Child maintenance allowance
Kela pays child maintenance allowance when the child's other parent does not pay confirmed child support, or when child support has been confirmed at a low amount because of the parent's poor ability to pay.
Tukihaku asks only what is needed and fills in the Kela form for you. Application help costs 1.99 €, and the first calculation is free.
Fill in the application Find out which benefits you can getWho can get child maintenance allowance?
- A parent or other guardian with whom a child under 18 lives, when the parent liable to pay maintenance does not pay child support. A 15–17-year-old who lives independently can get the allowance themselves.
- Also when child support has been confirmed at less than the child maintenance allowance because of the liable parent's ability to pay, when the child's other parent has not been legally confirmed, or when the child has been adopted by one person alone.
- The child must live permanently in Finland.
How much child maintenance allowance can you get in 2026?
The full child maintenance allowance is 197.71 € a month per child in 2026. If child support has been confirmed at a lower amount, Kela pays the difference. Child maintenance allowance is tax-free.
Calculate your child maintenance allowance with the calculator
How do you apply for child maintenance allowance?
- Apply in OmaKela or with form LU 1.
- Attach the maintenance agreement or court decision.
- Kela collects unpaid child support from the parent liable to pay maintenance, so it is no longer claimed through enforcement action.
When should you apply?
The allowance can be paid retroactively for up to 3 months before you apply.
What attachments are needed?
- The original maintenance agreement or court decision, if child support has not been paid. An electronically signed document can be sent in OmaKela.
- A photo or scanned copy of the agreement or decision, if child support has been confirmed at a lower amount because of the liable parent's ability to pay
- No agreement is needed if the child has no other legally confirmed parent or you have adopted the child alone
Frequently asked questions
What if child support has not been confirmed?
First agree on child support with the child welfare officer at your wellbeing services county. Child maintenance allowance usually requires a confirmed agreement or decision.
Does child maintenance allowance count as income?
Child maintenance allowance is income in social assistance. In housing allowance it does not count as income.
Tukihaku asks only what is needed and fills in the Kela form for you. Application help costs 1.99 €, and the first calculation is free.
Fill in the application Find out which benefits you can getSee also
- I moved to Finland – which Kela benefits can I get?You can usually get Kela benefits from the day you move, if you live in Finland permanently or work here.
- Parental benefits and maternity grantKela pays pregnancy allowance in late pregnancy and parental allowance after the child is born.
- Child benefit and single-parent supplementChild benefit is paid for every child under 17 living in Finland.
- Child home care allowance and private day care allowanceChild home care allowance is available when a child under 3 is cared for at home after the parental allowance period.
This page is also available in Finnish. Suomeksi.
Official information: kela.fi.