Situations where the amount of general housing allowance will change

The changes to the general housing allowance will take effect on 1 April 2024. The situation of the household determines when the changes will affect the amount of the housing allowance that the household receives.

1. Example: You move to a new home

   
   You receive general housing allowance. You move to a new home on 5 October 2024. Your rental agreement is valid from 1 October 2024, and you pay a full month's rent for the new home.

   You should apply for a review of the general housing allowance as soon as possible after your move has been confirmed.

   In this case, Kela reviews the housing allowance on the basis of the move as from 1 October 2024. The changes to the general housing allowance that took effect on 1 April 2024 are taken into account in your general housing allowance as from 1 October 2024.

2. Example: Your housing costs change

   
   You receive general housing allowance. Your housing costs change as from 1 June 2024, so that they are EUR 50 per month higher or lower than the housing costs that are recognised according to the previous decision on housing allowance.

   You should apply for a review of the general housing allowance as soon as possible after you get information about the change in your housing costs.

   In this case, Kela reviews the housing allowance from the beginning of the first full month of a change in housing costs, i.e., from 1 June 2024. The changes to the general housing allowance that took effect on 1 April 2024 are taken into account in your general housing allowance as from 1 June 2024.

3. Example: Child increases to your unemployment benefit are discontinued
   
   You receive an unemployment benefit and general housing allowance from Kela. A child increase is paid to your unemployment benefit.

   
   The child increase to your unemployment benefit will be discontinued on 1 April 2024. You will have to apply for a review of the general housing allowance, if your income decreases by at least EUR 200 per month because the child increase is discontinued.

   You must apply for a review of the general housing allowance always when the income of the household increases by at least EUR 400 per month or decreases by at least EUR 200 per month.

4. Example: The situation of your household does not change
    

   You have been granted general housing allowance starting from 1 February 2024.

   When you receive general housing allowance, you must apply for a review of the housing allowance at least once a year. This is called an annual review.

   Kela will send you a letter and instructions about the annual review about two months before the review is scheduled to take place. If you fail to apply for an annual review in time, payment of the housing allowance is discontinued.

   If there are no changes to your household’s circumstances due to which the housing allowance must be reviewed in 2024, you do not have to apply for a review of the general housing allowance until the next annual review of the housing allowance before 1 February 2025.

   In this case, the changes to the general housing allowance that took effect on 1 April 2024 are taken into account in your general housing allowance as from 1 February 2025.