Vocational rehabilitation for young persons

Vocational rehabilitation for young people is intended for those who are not currently studying or working and whose ability to function is reduced to the extent that it makes planning for the future difficult. The goal of the rehabilitation is to support you in finding a direction toward education or working life.

You can apply for vocational rehabilitation for young people if you are 16–29 years old and your ability to function is impaired for reasons other than illness. You do not need to attach a medical certificate to the application.

Vocational rehabilitation for young persons may be suitable for you, if you have difficulties getting into education or the working world. You can for instance be in one of the following situations: 

• you may not have found a suitable education or job 
• you may have interrupted your studies or be at risk of doing so despite the support measures provided by your educational institution
• you have interrupted conscript or alternative civilian service and need help to plan your future.

Vocational rehabilitation for young persons is always planned individually. The client is also personally involved in defining the goals that the rehabilitation is designed to reach.

When applying for vocational rehabilitation services for young persons, you need not specify the type of rehabilitation you wish to apply for. Kela will help you find a suitable rehabilitation option.

As vocational rehabilitation you can be granted one of the following:

• vocational rehabilitation assessment, in which you get help with sorting out your situation and planning rehabilitation interventions
• training try-out, which helps you identify a suitable occupation or education
• Nuotti coaching, where a coach helps you find your way in education or the working world
• work try-out, where a coach helps you choose a suitable profession, job or course of study and ensure that your choice is suitable for you through a work try-out at a workplace
• job coaching, where a coach helps you find salaried work or start working as a self-employed person 

How to apply for vocational rehabilitation for young persons

1. Fill in the form Vocational rehabilitation for young persons (KU 143e, PDF). If you have a contact in the outreach youth services or the Guidance Centre, you can complete the form together with them.

   • 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 application form on your device. Note that the application must be in PDF format.
2. Send the application in the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish and Swedish).

   • Log in to OmaKela.
   • Select Tee hakemus (File an application). Select Sairastaminen ja kuntoutus (Sickness and rehabilitation) and then Kuntoutus – tee hakemus (Rehabilitation – file an application).
   • 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 documents that you wish to include with the application, send them in OmaKela after you have sent the application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph or scan them.

Another option is to send the application by mail.

• Sign the application and mail it along with the supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

A written decision on your application will be sent to you by post. You can also view the decision in the OmaKela e-service.