Disability allowance for persons under 16 years
Changes to age limits for disability allowances
From the beginning of 2027 disability allowance to persons under 18 years of age will be paid in the form of disability allowance for children. At the same time, the minimum age limit for disability allowance for adults and care allowance for pensioners will be raised to 18 years. Read more about the planned changes to the age limits for disability allowances.
The allowance is intended to provide support in the daily lives of children under 16 years who have an illness or a disability. The child can be awarded disability allowance if he or she needs regular care, attention and rehabilitation due to illness or disability.
The need of care and attention must be greater than normal and last for at least six months.
Read how to apply for disability allowance for persons under 16 years.
Need for care and attention greater than normal
The diagnosis for the illness or disability does not in itself determine the child’s entitlement to disability allowance. The entitlement to the allowance and the amount of the allowance are determined on the basis of the extent of care, attention and rehabilitation that the child needs.
The care and attention of a child may be demanding and require commitment also in normal situations, depending on the child’s age and development stage. Therefore, an assessment is always made of whether the need of care and attention is related to illness or disability and whether the need of care and attention is greater than normal compared to other children of the same age.
The need for care and attention can be greater than normal due to e.g.
- the child’s illness attacks and medication
- transportation of the child to rehabilitation
- the child’s need of assistance with activities of daily living and schoolwork due to illness or disability
- the child’s greater need of supervision compared to other children of the same age.
Often awarded for a specific time period
Disability allowance for persons under 16 years is usually granted for a specific period of time, and it is possible to apply for continued payment of the allowance after this period has ended. While many illnesses can last a lifetime, the need of care may change as the child grows and develops.
The payment period of the allowance varies according to an assessment of how long the need of care due to illness or disability will continue.