How to apply for disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over

Apply for disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over for yourself 

Apply for disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over on behalf of another person

How to apply for disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over for yourself

1. Complete the form Care allowance for pensioners/Disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over (EV 256e, PDF)

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the application directly in the browser, because some of the information may not be saved that way.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Save the completed form to your device. Note that the application must be in PDF format.
   • Applications for the continued payment of the allowance and for an increased allowance can be made on the same form.
   • Read our instructions for technical problems.
2. Send the application using the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish or Swedish):

   • Log in to OmaKela and select Tee hakemus (File an application).
   • Select Vammaistuet (Disability benefits) and 16 vuotta täyttäneen vammaistuki (Disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over).
   • When you send your application in OmaKela, you do not need to sign it.
3. Take photographs of the supporting documents and send them in OmaKela. Supporting documents you will need to enclose:

   • Recent medical statement C (at the most 6 months old). The document can also be some other medical statement, such as medical statement B or a copy of your medical history, if they contain the information needed to decide on the application. Necessary information includes information on the customer’s illness, current functional status and health.
4. Visit OmaKela to see if your application has been decided, how much you will get and when your benefit will be paid. You will also see reminders of, for instance, supporting documents missing from your application. The decision notice will also be sent to your home address unless you have opted out of paper mail.

If you cannot use OmaKela, send your application to Kela by post. Print out the form, sign it and send the form and any supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

The decision notice is only in Finnish or Swedish. If you need help with something, you can call one of our English language customer service numbers.

How to apply for disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over on behalf of another person

1. Complete the form Care allowance for pensioners / Disability allowance for persons aged 16 years or over (EV 256e, PDF).

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the application directly in the browser, otherwise some of the information may not be saved.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Save the completed form to your device. Note that the form must be in PDF format.
   • Applications for the continued payment of the allowance and for an increased allowance can be made on the same form. Applications for continued payment of the disability allowance should be filed within six months of the end of the previous payment period.
2. Enclose with your application:

   • Up-to-date medical statement C (no older than six months). Other medical documentation, such as a doctor’s statement B or a copy of the medical record is also acceptable as an attachment, if it includes the details needed when processing the application. The required information includes details about the client’s illnesses, current functional capacity, and health status.

   Send the application using the OmaKela e-service:

   • Log in to OmaKela (available in Finnish and Swedish). Go to Asioi toisen henkilön puolesta (Act on behalf of another person). Please note: You need a Suomi.fi authorisation to act on someone’s behalf.
   • Select Tee hakemus (File an application). Select Vammaistuet and Hae 16 vuotta täyttäneen vammaistukea.
   • Select the application form on your device and press Lähetä (Send).
   • When you send your application online, you do not need to sign it.
   • If you have supporting documents, sent them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph or scan them.

3. Visit the OmaKela-service to see if your application has been decided and the amount of the benefit. You can also see any possible reminders concerning, for instance, documents missing from your application. A written decision on your application will be sent to you by post. If you have expenses which are caused by an illness and which you declared in the application, we may ask you further information if the expenses could be relevant to the amount of your allowance.

When to apply

Kela grants the benefit for a maximum of six months retrospectively. Retroactive payment is always considered from case to case.

An estate can not apply for the benefit.

Information for applying

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