Basic amount of social assistance to be increased with the index at the beginning of 2024, but basic amounts for children to decrease
At the beginning of 2024, the basic amounts of social assistance will be raised by 5.9% in line with the National Pensions Index. The temporary increase of 10 per cent made to the basic amounts for children for the duration of 2023 will end on 31 December 2023, however.
The basic amount of social assistance will be raised by 5.9% as from 1 January 2024 in line with the National Pensions Index. This means that the basic amount of social assistance for persons living alone will be increased by EUR 32.60 to EUR 587.71 per month. The basic amount of social assistance for single parents will be increased by EUR 37.16 to EUR 669.99 per month.
The basic amount is a fixed sum of money needed to meet the essential costs of daily living (such as food and clothing). A separate basic amount of social assistance is calculated for each family member. Example showing how the basic amount is calculated.
Temporary increase to basic amounts for children to end
The basic amount of social assistance for persons under 18 was raised by 10% for the duration of 2023. This temporary increase will end on 31 December 2023, and thus the basic amounts for children will decrease in 2024 despite the index increase.
| Basic amount €/month (change €/month) | |
|---|---|
| Persons living alone, no dependent children | 587.71 (+32.60) |
| Persons over 18 sharing a household | 499.55 (+27.71) |
| Single parents | 669.99 (+37.16) |
| Persons aged 18 or over living with their parent(s) | 429.03 (+23.80) |
children aged 10-17 years: oldest sibling | 411.40 |
| children aged 10-17 years: second oldest sibling | 382.01 (–12.12) |
| children aged 10-17 years: third oldest sibling and all other children, each | 352.63 (–13.74) |
Children under 10 years of age: oldest sibling | 370.26 |
| Children under 10 years of age: second oldest sibling | 340.87 (–14.40) |
| Children under 10 years of age: third oldest sibling and all other children, each | 311.49 (–16.02) |
However, the Government proposes (HE 75/2023) increases to the child benefits. The plan is that the child benefit for the fourth, the fifth and any subsequent child would be increased by EUR 10 as from 1 January 2024 and the child benefit for children under 3 years of age by EUR 26 per month as from 1 April 2024. The plan is also to raise the single-parent supplement to the child benefit by EUR 5 as from 1 January 2024 compared to 2023.
Read more
- Basic amount of social assistance (kela.fi)
- The National Pensions Index means an increase of 5.9 per cent to only some Kela benefits - the Government proposes a freeze to the other benefits (kela.fi)
- Customer service phone number for questions related to social assistance 020 634 2550, (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm)