Toimeentulotuki in Finland: Eligibility Conditions and Changes
Toimeentulotuki in Finland is the last line of financial support for people whose income and assets are not enough to cover food, housing and other necessary expenses. It is paid by Kela, and in 2026 the rules were significantly tightened.
From 1 February 2026, the requirements became stricter: you must first apply for primary benefits and be registered as a jobseeker, otherwise the basic amount may be reduced by 50%. From 1 March, the basic amount for adults was reduced, and the earnings disregard was abolished.
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that most problems arise when people are unaware of the new obligations and miss response deadlines. Below we explain the eligibility conditions, the changes, payment amounts and typical mistakes.
What toimeentulotuki is and who can qualify for it
Basic social assistance is intended for those who cannot support themselves through employment, self-employment, other social benefits, income or assets. It covers essential expenses, while individual components, such as rent or medical costs, are assessed under their own rules.
Additional conditions apply to Ukrainians under temporary protection. According to Kela’s explanations, you usually need to have lived in Finland for at least one year and hold a residence permit valid for at least one year.
| Indicator | What you need to know |
| Who pays | Kela |
| Who it is for | People whose income and assets are not enough to cover basic needs |
| Temporary protection | Usually one year of residence and a permit valid for at least one year |
| Reception centre | If you use its services, assistance is generally not granted |
| Nature of the assistance | Last line of support after other benefits |
The final decision is made by Kela, taking into account family composition, income and expenses. Do not rely on general tables circulating in community groups.
Toimeentulotuki in Finland: conditions for receiving assistance
The main condition is simple in substance but complex in practice: your income and assets do not cover necessary expenses. Kela checks this across several areas.
- Family income: earnings, benefits, pensions and other receipts
- Assets: savings, real estate and other assets
- Household composition: number of adults and children
- Housing costs within the limits recognised by Kela
- Compliance with the duty to apply for primary benefits first
Before applying for social assistance, you need to check your entitlement to child benefit, housing benefit and unemployment benefits. If you have not applied for them, Kela may require you to do so.
Applications are usually submitted through Kela’s online service. If needed, you can use the assistance of social services or a lawyer.
Changes in 2026: what was tightened from 1 February
Parliament adopted amendments to the Social Assistance Act, which entered into force on 1 February 2026. They primarily concern the recipient’s obligations.
| Change | What it means |
| Duty to apply for primary benefits | Unemployment benefits, sickness allowance, student financial aid and similar benefits |
| 50% reduction of the basic amount | If you do not apply for a primary benefit within the set deadline |
| Registration with the employment service | You must be registered as a full-time jobseeker |
| Deadline for responding to Kela | One month to comply with the requirement or explain the reasons |
| Payment of rent to the landlord | Kela may transfer part of the payment for rent directly to the landlord |
In other words, inaction now costs more. If you do not meet the requirement on time, the basic amount may be cut in half.
Reduction of the basic amount from 1 March 2026 and abolition of the disregard
From March 2026, the basic amount for adults was reduced. For people living alone or with their parents, the reduction is 3%, and for other adults it is 2%.
For a person living alone, the basic amount fell from approximately EUR 596 to EUR 578 per month. The exact figures depend on household composition, so rely only on Kela’s decision.
- The basic amount was reduced for everyone aged 18 and over
- The monthly EUR 150 earnings disregard was abolished
- Earnings are now taken into account in full in the calculation
- This reduces the incentive to take on extra work if income is not planned in advance
Abolition of the disregard means that every euro earned is taken into account when calculating the benefit. Any work should therefore be carefully planned and reported to Kela.
What the basic assistance amount is and what it depends on
The amount of assistance consists of the basic amount and additional components. The total depends on how many adults and children are in the household and what your income is.
| Component | What it depends on |
| Basic amount | Household composition, age and living arrangements |
| Housing costs | Rent and utility charges within recognised limits |
| Additional expenses | Medical and other costs subject to a separate assessment |
| Income and benefits | Deducted from the total need |
In other words, the assistance covers the difference between your needs and your income. The more income you have, the smaller the payment.
Kela may also pay assistance for a housing deposit and moving costs if your own funds are insufficient. This generally requires a municipality of residence and other conditions.
Extra work and social assistance: how to combine them after the changes
Previously, part of earnings was disregarded thanks to the monthly disregard. Now that it has been abolished, income from work affects the assistance in full.
This does not mean that working is unprofitable. Wages reduce the amount of assistance, but at the same time they increase overall income and open access to other benefits and unemployment assistance.
| Situation | What to do |
| Temporary work has started | Notify Kela of the income and the start date of the work |
| Income changes every month | Report every change and keep payslips |
| The job has ended | Register with the employment service and apply for primary benefits |
| You have your own business | Keep records of income and expenses and provide documents at Kela’s request |
Income reported late may result in a demand to repay the money. After the changes in 2026, it is therefore better to coordinate any work with Kela in advance.
Typical mistakes made by recipients of social assistance
Below are the mistakes that occur most often. All of them can be corrected, but it is better not to make them from the outset.
- Applying for social assistance without first applying for the primary benefits
- Failing to register with the employment service when this is required
- Missing the one-month deadline for responding to Kela
- Failing to report earnings, including occasional income
- Failing to attach the lease agreement or bank statements
- Relying on outdated information about the amount of the benefit and deductions
Each of these mistakes can cut the benefit in half or lead to a demand to repay the money. A careful review of the rules helps avoid this.
What to do if Kela has reduced or refused the benefit
A Kela decision is not final. If you believe it is incorrect, you have the right to challenge it.
- Read the written decision carefully and identify the grounds for the reduction
- Check whether all income, expenses, and documents have been taken into account
- File an application for reconsideration within the prescribed time limit
- Attach evidence: statements, certificates, and correspondence
- If necessary, appeal the decision in the manner prescribed by law
The time limits for an appeal are limited, so do not delay. A missed deadline may deprive you of the opportunity to revisit the matter.
Why it is difficult to navigate the new rules on your own
Each new requirement looks simple, but together they form a complex system. A person who does not know the language and the procedures can easily make a mistake.
- Official instructions are in Finnish or Swedish, and translations are often delayed
- It is difficult to determine which primary benefits must be applied for first
- It is unclear whether the registration requirements and responses to Kela have been completed on time
- The abolition of the EUR 150 deduction has changed the calculation for those who work on the side
- Challenging a decision without knowledge of the procedure is not easy
That is why Ukrainians are increasingly turning to lawyers. Toimeentulotuki in Finland is not only an application, but also the fulfillment of a number of obligations, a mistake in which costs half of the benefit.
On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist": a comparison
The difference between the two approaches is best shown by a comparison.
| Parameter | On your own | With International Law Firm "Zahist" |
| Assessment of entitlement to the benefit | Based on general advice | Analysis of status, income, and family composition |
| Primary benefits | Risk of missing something mandatory | Review and preparation of all applications |
| Deadlines for responding to Kela | Easy to miss | Monitoring and reminders |
| Documents | The agreement or statements may be forgotten | A checklist and a completeness review |
| Reduction or refusal | Unclear what to do next | Analysis of the decision and an application for reconsideration |
| Outcome | Depends on luck | A clear plan and follow-through to the result |
We do not guarantee the decisions of public authorities, as the final word rests with them. However, proper preparation significantly reduces the risk of a reduction in the benefit.
How International Law Firm "Zahist" helps Ukrainians obtain social assistance
We work according to a clear plan so that you always understand what is happening in your case.
- Analysis of the situation: status, length of residence, family composition, income, and expenses
- Identification of the primary benefits that must be applied for before social assistance
- Preparation of documents and translations, and completion of applications
- Filing applications with Kela and monitoring response deadlines
- In the event of a reduction or refusal: analysis of the decision and an application for reconsideration
- Appeal of the decision if there are grounds
- Ongoing support in the event of a change in income, employment, or family composition
At every stage, you know what is happening and are not left alone with the bureaucracy. This is especially valuable when the family budget depends on the benefit.
Legal assistance in matters of social assistance
Do not delay seeking advice if you are already in a difficult situation. The sooner your rights are reviewed, the less you risk losing part of the benefit.
Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist", and we will review your situation and advise you on how to act under the new rules so that the changes in 2026 do not deprive you of support.
