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Read original in Finnish →Social assistance 2026 — what changed and what should I do first?
Guide · Updated 4.5.2026
Social assistance 2026 — what changed and what should I do first?
The February 2026 reform (HE 116/2025 vp) significantly changed the conditions for applying for social assistance. This guide explains what changed, the correct order of applications, how much the basic amount is, and the difference between Kela's and the wellbeing county's responsibilities.
Social assistance 2026 in brief
- Basic amount (single adult): 578.43 €/month (1.3.–31.12.2026)
- Payer: Kela (basic) · Wellbeing county (supplementary and preventive)
- Processing time: 7 working days from a complete application
- Reform: 1.2.2026 — primary benefit first, jobseeker registration obligation
- Application: OmaKela (basic) · Wellbeing county social office (supplementary)
Contents
- What changed on 1.2.2026?
- Correct order of applications — 5 steps
- Kela or wellbeing county?
- If you cannot work — a different path
- Basic amount 2026 — table
- Frequently asked questions
1. What changed on 1.2.2026?
The February reform introduced two new obligations for all unemployed applicants aged 18–65:
New obligation 1: Register as a full-time jobseeker at Työmarkkinatori before submitting a social assistance application.
New obligation 2: Apply for all primary benefits (yleistuki, housing allowance, etc.) before applying for social assistance.
Consequence of non-compliance: If you do not comply within 30 days of Kela's request, the basic amount can be reduced by 50%. Kela must first hear you before any reduction (kuulemismenettely). Source: Income Support Act §2a.
At the same time, the basic amount was cut by 2–3% for all adults 18+ (from 1.3.2026). The single adult basic amount fell from €596.32 to €578.43. Children's basic amounts were unchanged or slightly increased.
Exceptions to the jobseeker registration obligation: employed persons, full-time students, persons in institutional care, and persons with medically confirmed incapacity for work.
2. Correct order of applications — 5 steps
Social assistance is a last-resort benefit — Kela expects you to have first applied for everything you are entitled to. Here is the correct order:
- Register as a jobseeker at Työmarkkinatori — do this first. It is a mandatory prerequisite for the entire process. Website: tyomarkkinatori.fi
- Apply for yleistuki in OmaKela — yleistuki is the primary basic unemployment benefit. Apply as soon as possible.
- Apply for housing allowance in OmaKela (renters) — if you live in a rented home, housing allowance is a primary benefit before social assistance.
- Apply for basic social assistance in OmaKela — once primary benefits have been applied for, you can apply for social assistance. Kela processes within 7 working days of a complete application.
- Apply for supplementary support from the wellbeing county if needed — special expenses such as healthcare costs, children's supplies or moving costs belong to supplementary social assistance — applied from your wellbeing county's social services office, not from Kela.
3. Kela or wellbeing county?
Social assistance is divided between two authorities — this often causes confusion:
Kela — Basic social assistance
- Basic amount (food, clothing, hygiene)
- Housing expenses (rent, water, electricity)
- Other basic expenses Application: OmaKela (oma.kela.fi)
Wellbeing county — Supplementary and preventive support
- Special expenses (health, children's supplies)
- Preventive support (social functioning)
- Urgent situations Application: your regional social services office
Processing time for both: 7 working days from a complete application (Income Support Act §14a). In urgent cases Kela processes the same day or next working day.
4. If you cannot work — a different path
If a doctor has confirmed incapacity for work, the correct primary benefit is sickness allowance (sairauspäiväraha), not social assistance. Social assistance can still be applied for during illness, but it does not replace sickness allowance — which is usually considerably higher.
- Request a B-certificate of work capacity from a doctor (health centre or occupational health)
- Apply for sickness allowance in OmaKela — within 2 months of falling ill
- Find out about rehabilitation options from Kela if the illness is prolonged
- You can apply for social assistance at the same time if your income does not cover basic expenses
The jobseeker registration obligation does not apply to persons with medically confirmed incapacity for work — the exception is written into Income Support Act §2a.
5. Basic amount 2026 — table
The basic amount covers food, clothing, hygiene and other ordinary basic expenses. Housing expenses are in addition.
| Applicant or family member | €/month |
|---|---|
| Single adult | 578.43 |
| Adult sharing household | 497.45 |
| Single parent | 665.19 |
| Adult living with parents | 422.25 |
| Child 10–17, oldest | 417.63 |
| Child 10–17, second oldest | 388.70 |
| Child 10–17, third and further | 359.78 |
| Child under 10, oldest | 375.98 |
| Child under 10, second oldest | 347.06 |
| Child under 10, third and further | 318.14 |
Valid 1.3.–31.12.2026. Source: kela.fi/social-assistance-basic-amount, verified 4.5.2026.
6. Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for social assistance immediately when I become unemployed?
Not directly — Kela cannot process your social assistance application until you have applied for primary benefits. Correct order: register as a jobseeker at Työmarkkinatori, apply for yleistuki and housing allowance in OmaKela, then apply for basic social assistance.
What happens if I do not register as a jobseeker?
Kela can reduce the basic amount by 50% if you do not register within 30 days of Kela's request. Before any reduction, Kela must hear you. Exception: if you are employed, a student or a doctor has confirmed incapacity for work, registration is not mandatory.
Is social assistance taxable income?
No. Social assistance is tax-free income.
How quickly does Kela process the application?
Kela's statutory obligation is 7 working days from a complete application (Income Support Act §14a). In urgent cases — no food, no medicine — the application is processed the same day or the next working day.
Where do I apply for supplementary social assistance?
From your wellbeing county — not from Kela. Supplementary social assistance covers special expenses such as healthcare costs not covered by the basic amount. The wellbeing county's processing time is also 7 working days by law.
What if I am incapacitated due to illness?
The primary benefit is then sickness allowance, not social assistance. Request a B-certificate of work capacity from a doctor and apply for sickness allowance in OmaKela. Social assistance can also be applied for during illness, but it does not replace sickness allowance — which is usually higher.
Does my spouse's income affect social assistance?
Yes. Social assistance is means-tested and takes into account all household income and assets, including the income of a spouse or cohabiting partner. This differs from yleistuki, where a spouse's income has no effect.
Authority sources
- Kela — social assistance: kela.fi/social-assistance
- OmaKela — apply for social assistance: oma.kela.fi
- Työmarkkinatori — register as a jobseeker: tyomarkkinatori.fi
- Kela — housing allowance: kela.fi/general-housing-allowance
- Finlex — Income Support Act (1412/1997)
Related guide
Yleistuki 2026 — new basic unemployment benefit → Yleistuki must be applied for before social assistance. Read how to apply.
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