How does performing conscript service affect Kela benefits?
Performing conscript service can affect the benefits you get from Kela. For more information on the benefits for conscripts, see the Military and non-military service section.
If your household is paid general housing allowance, it will not be discontinued when you start your service. Kela will pay conscript’s allowance to make up the difference between your housing costs and the housing allowance. If you do not get general housing allowance, you will be paid a conscript’s allowance for your housing costs. This means that you will not be granted general housing allowance.
When you complete your service, payment of the conscript’s allowance will end. At that time, you have the option to apply for general housing allowance once again.
If you are paid general housing allowance while in service, it must be reviewed after you complete the service and there is a change in your income. Apply for a review in the OmaKela e-service. Please note that our e-service is only available in Finnish and Swedish.
If a family member of a person performing conscript’s allowance gets housing allowance for pensioners and applies for conscript’s allowance, Kela pays the family conscript’s allowance to make up the difference between their housing costs and the housing allowance for pensioners.
Conscript's allowance does not reduce the amount of the income-tested care supplement, which can be part of the child home care or private day care allowance.
You cannot get student financial aid while in conscript service.
If you cancel financial aid temporarily, Kela will automatically begin to pay you financial aid after the specified period of time. If you have cancelled financial aid temporarily, apply in the OmaKela e-service or use the Notification of changes - Financial aid for students OT 15e form (PDF) to resume your financial aid payments. If you begin a new course of study after completing the conscript service, apply for financial aid in the OmaKela e-service or use the Financial aid for students - Vocational education, upper secondary school education, education at a folk high school or sports institute, basic education for adults OT 1e (PDF) or Financial aid for students - For students of universities or polytechnics/universities of applied sciences OT 2e (PDF) form. Please note that our e-service is only available in Finnish and Swedish.
Sickness allowance is not available during conscript service.
Labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance are not available during conscript service. Notify TE Services when you go into conscript service.
If you are unemployed after completing the service, register as a jobseeker with the TE Services as soon as possible. After that you can receive unemployment benefits from the unemployment fund or from Kela. For more information, see Unemployment.