Amount and payment
The disability allowance is payable at three different rates, depending on the degree of impairment as well as the need of assistance, guidance and supervision. Special expenses caused by the illness or disability may mean that disability allowance at the basic rate is increased to disability allowance at the middle rate. When determining the rate of the allowance, the applicant’s overall situation is always considered.
Disability allowance at the basic rate
The disability allowance at the basic rate is EUR 108.89 per month.
The allowance is available to persons whose
- functional ability is impaired due to illness or disability continuously for at least a year and
- the illness or disability causes significant impairment.
The person may for instance
- due to illness or disability have difficulty in concentrating on activities that require continuous alertness,
- have diabetes that requires treatment with insulin and involves associated diseases,
- due to illness or disability need more time than normal for different activities of daily living or the activities require assistive devices or
- have difficulties in carrying out complicated tasks even though the person can handle routine tasks independently.
Disability allowance at the middle rate
The disability allowance at the middle rate is EUR 254.10 per month.
The allowance is available to persons
- whose disability or illness causes significant impairment or regular need of guidance and supervision
- who need regular assistance with personal activities of daily living.
The person may need for instance
- weekly assistance with getting dressed, personal hygiene, mobility or social interaction
- guidance and reminders as concerns the following of a daily rhythm, remembering to take medication, or in other activities of daily living that follow a certain schedule.
If the need for guidance and assistance only concerns household chores and daily errands, disability allowance at the middle rate cannot be granted.
Disability allowance at the middle rate can also be awarded if a person is entitled to disability allowance at the basic rate and has continuous extra costs due to illness or disability which correspond to at least the disability allowance at the middle rate.
Disability allowance at the highest rate
The disability allowance at the highest rate is EUR 492.71 per month.
The allowance is available to persons who
- are severely disabled
- need a lot of daily assistance, guidance and supervision in personal activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, personal hygiene, mobility and social interaction
- are blind, unable to move or prelingually deaf
- are incapable of using the lower extremities when moving.
The person may need for instance
- continuous care and attention around the clock due to illness
- time-consuming guidance in activities of daily living.
Special expenses
If you are entitled to disability allowance at the basic rate and the illness or disability causes special expenses, you can be awarded disability allowance at the middle rate instead of disability allowance at the basic rate. Disability allowance at the highest rate cannot be granted on the basis of special expenses.
The special expenses must each month amount to at least the disability allowance at the middle rate. Special expenses include for instance health care and medicine expenses as well as costs for home help or home health care.
Payment
The disability allowance is payable on the 7th day of the month. If banks are not open on the payment date, Kela will make the payments on the immediately preceding business day.
The disability allowance is paid into the customer’s bank account. If you are under 18 years old, the disability allowance is paid into the bank account indicated by your guardian.
The disability allowance is tax-free income.
The effect of other benefits and income
Income or assets do not affect the granting of disability allowance.
If you receive care allowance or supplementary handicap benefit under the employment accident and motor insurance laws on the basis of the same illness or disability, the benefit will be deducted from the disability allowance.
If you receive a corresponding benefit from abroad on the basis of the same illness or disability, the benefit will be deducted from the disability allowance.