The processing time for social assistance applications

We will process your application within 7 working days

We will process your social assistance application within seven working days (Monday to Friday) of receiving it and all the necessary supporting documents. Incoming applications are processed in the order in which we receive them.

See the average processing time for social assistance applications in the past week.

See pictures of how your application is processed at Kela

When you file the application and the necessary documentation at the same time

 

When necessary documentation (e.g. a bank statement) is missing from your application

 

What do you do if your situation is urgent

Kela will discuss your situation with you and then decide if your need for assistance is urgent. Urgent situations include, for example, an urgent need to buy necessary medicines after you are sent home from hospital.

1. If possible, send your application for social assistance and the necessary supporting documents in OmaKela before you contact Kela. OmaKela is available in Finnish and Swedish. If you have submitted your application and the supporting documents before calling us or visiting a service point, it will speed up the processing of the application.
2. Call Kela’s customer service number 020 634 2550 or visit a Kela service point.

If your situation is considered urgent, we will issue a decision about social assistance the same day or the following working day.

Urgent social assistance is usually granted in the form of vouchers. Medication vouchers are transmitted electronically from Kela to the pharmacies. You can pick up your food vouchers at the nearest Kela customer service point or, depending on your situation, for example at the social services office of your wellbeing services county.