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Basic social assistance
Social assistance is the last-resort benefit when income and assets are not enough for essential expenses such as food, rent and medicines. Basic social assistance is granted by Kela.
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 social assistance?
- A person or family whose income and assets are not enough for basic expenses.
- Other benefits, such as housing allowance and unemployment benefit, must be applied for first.
- A person able to work usually has to register as a jobseeker.
How much social assistance can you get in 2026 and 2027?
From 1 March 2026 the basic amount is 578.43 € a month for a person living alone. For a single parent it is 665.19 €, and children are counted by age. In addition to the basic amount, reasonable housing costs, healthcare costs and other basic expenses are taken into account. Income and assets are deducted. Wages are also deducted in full, as the 150 € earned income deduction was removed for adults in 2026. From 1 January 2027 the basic amount is 591.56 € for a person living alone and 680.29 € for a single parent, and the municipal limits for reasonable housing costs also change.
Estimate your social assistance with the calculator
How do you apply for social assistance?
- Apply in OmaKela or with form TO 1.
- Attach bank statements for all accounts for two months, plus the tenancy agreement and bills.
- A decision is usually made within 7 working days. In an urgent situation, contact Kela immediately.
When should you apply?
Apply before the start of the month or as soon as the need arises. Assistance can be paid retroactively only for a special reason.
What attachments are needed?
- Bank statements for all accounts for the previous two months, from every family member
- Tenancy agreement, unless Kela already has it
- Electricity, water and home insurance bills
- Healthcare bills and receipts for prescription medicines
Frequently asked questions
What are supplementary and preventive social assistance?
They are granted by the wellbeing services county for special expenses that basic social assistance does not cover. First apply for basic social assistance from Kela and ask for the application to be forwarded to the wellbeing services county.
Can I get social assistance while working?
Yes, if your wages are not enough for basic expenses. However, wages are taken into account in full, as the 150 € earned income deduction was removed for adults in 2026. For fees paid for informal care and family care, the deduction still applies until the end of 2027.
Do a car or savings affect it?
Savings and assets that are easy to turn into cash are taken into account. A car can be disregarded if it is needed for work or health reasons.
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.
- General housing allowanceGeneral housing allowance is Kela's support for rent or other housing costs when the household's income is low.
- Child benefit and single-parent supplementChild benefit is paid for every child under 17 living in Finland.
- General social security benefit for unemploymentGeneral social security benefit is Kela's benefit for unemployed people who do not get earnings-related allowance from an unemployment fund.
This page is also available in Finnish. Suomeksi.
Official information: kela.fi.