10/7/2024Are you unable to work because of an illness, or has your work capacity decreased? Follow these six steps to move forwardIf your work capacity decreases or you have to stop working because of a long-term illness or injury, prepare yourself ahead of time. The most important thing is to actively promote your work capacity. These six steps will help you move forward.Article4/7/2024A larger amount of student loan can be taken out starting from AugustThe government guarantees for student loans will rise in August 2024. In addition, the number of disbursements will also increase for students who study in Finland. The first loan disbursement for the upcoming academic year can be taken out starting from the beginning of August.Press release2/7/2024How to issue a power of attorney to authorise someone to manage your Kela-related affairsYou can issue a power of attorney to authorise someone to manage your Kela-related affairs by phone, by mail or by visiting a customer service point. Understanding the details related to authorisation can be difficult due to for instance a language barrier or because the concept of authorisation does not exist in the person’s own culture. If the customer does not understand what authorisation means, his or her legal rights may be at risk. Article27/6/2024Kela's tips for the summerHow do I take care of my Kela-related matters during summer? We compiled some tips for staying on top of your Kela affairs during the sunny season.Article26/6/2024Proposal to end the payment of national pensions to recipients outside Finland in 2025: How pensioners would be affectedThe Government’s proposal for ending the payment of national pensions to recipients outside Finland is being circulated for comments. If the proposal is adopted, Kela will stop paying old-age and disability pensions to recipients in other EU or EEA countries or in Switzerland or Great Britain with effect from the beginning of 2025. The proposed change does not apply to survivors’ pensions, child increases or front-veterans’ supplements, nor will it affect the payment of earnings-related pensions.Press release26/6/2024Things for students to remember at the start of a new academic yearThe start of a new academic year is approaching! Remember to check that your affairs with Kela are in order before you go back to school. On this page, you will find the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to Kela and studying.Article20/6/2024Changes in the accrual of the employee work requirement for wage-subsidised work and participation in employment-promoting services as of 2 September 2024As of 2 September 2024, participation in employment-promoting services will no longer count towards the work requirement. Periods of wage-subsidised work will count towards the work requirement only in certain cases. At the same time, the earnings-related unemployment allowance will be graduated so that the sum of the allowance decreases as the duration of unemployment grows.Press release12/6/2024Tax refunds may affect social assistanceSocial assistance is a last-resort form of financial aid, which is affected by all the income and assets available to the applicants and their families, including tax refunds. Most customers will receive their tax refund in August or September.Press release4/6/2024Will you enter military service in July? Apply for conscript's allowance nowKela can pay conscript’s allowance to persons who perform military service or alternative non-military service and their family members. It is worthwhile to apply for conscript's allowance about one month before entering service.Press release3/6/2024Summer means changes to the opening hours of Kela’s customer service pointsIt is a good idea to handle Kela-related matters in our e-service My Kela or by phone also in summer. The opening hours of many of Kela’s customer service points will change for the summer.Press release3/6/2024Many students will have their housing allowance reduced following annual review of the general housing allowanceKela reviews the general housing allowance at least once a year even if there have been no changes to the household’s circumstances. For many students, this annual review is carried out in August or September. Due to the recent cuts to the general housing allowance, this time the review will lead to a reduction in the amount of housing allowance.Press release24/5/2024Kela to end loan guarantees under the adult education allowance scheme for new studies starting in August 2024 or laterParliament has approved the discontinuation of the adult education allowance. Following the changes in legislation, Kela will no longer grant loan guarantees under the adult education allowance scheme for studies starting in August or later.Press release23/5/2024Job alternation leave scheme will shut down in August 2024The last day for starting a job alternation leave is 31 July 2024. After that, it will no longer be possible to take a job alternation leave or to receive job alternation compensation.Press release22/5/2024Raised income limits for interest assistance for student loans - the number of recipients of interest assistance has increased in recent yearsThe income limits for interest assistance for student loans were raised at the beginning of the year, so an increasing number of persons have the possibility of getting assistance from Kela for interest payments on student loans. In 2023, the number of recipients of interest assistance increased significantly following higher interest rates and larger loan amounts.Press release20/5/2024Changes to legislation concerning occupational health and safety of pregnant workers – grounds for granting special pregnancy allowance stay the sameA decree enacted in April clarifies matters relating to the health and safety of pregnant workers. The changes will not affect the grounds on which Kela grants special pregnancy allowance.Press release14/5/2024Making the most of your summer: Tips for studentsWhether you plan to spend the summer working, looking for a job, studying or just taking a holiday, have a look these tips that can help you ensure that you have the financial security to make the most of your summer. Once you have all of your affairs with Kela in order, you can start looking forward to the summer.Article13/5/2024Government has outlined plans to stop paying national pensions to recipients outside Finland – Kela will continue payments for the time beingAs part of its discussions on spending limits, the Government on 16 April 2024 outlined cuts that, if implemented, will impact the payment of national pensions to recipients outside Finland. Kela does not currently have detailed information on when the plan to stop national pension payments outside Finland will be implemented or the specific benefits available under the National Pensions Act that will be affected.Press release2/5/2024You can already apply for partial care allowance for autumn 2024Kela pays partial care allowance to parents of children in the 1st or 2nd year of school if the parent works a maximum of 30 hours per week due to child care. You can apply for partial care allowance when you have agreed on shorter working hours with your employer.Article2/5/2024Distribution of new maternity package beginsKela has started to distribute the 2024 edition of the maternity package. The start date for the distribution of the new maternity package varies from year to year. A new edition is introduced when stocks of the previous edition run out.Press release22/4/2024Social assistance can be granted for reasonable housing costs – Kela does not ask anyone to moveRecently, many customers have contacted Kela to ask if they have to move out of their current home if the housing costs exceed the maximum limits acceptable for the purposes of social assistance. Kela does not ask anyone to move, but social assistance does not necessarily cover all housing costs if the costs exceed the maximum limit set for the municipality.Press release12345…9page 1/9