You can get Kela benefits when you live in Finland permanently. For example, you may have a job in Finland or have moved to Finland for family reasons.

If you are waiting for asylum or a residence permit, you are not yet a permanent resident in Finland. Therefore, you will not receive Kela benefits.

The Refugee Reception will ensure that you apply for the Kela benefits you need.

You can apply for Kela benefits using a form. Fill in the right form depending on your situation. For Kela forms, see.

You can also book an appointment with a Kela office or a call centre customer service. The office will look at your situation and you can fill in the forms there. Ask for an interpreter to go with you.

You can first ask the Refugee Reception’s employee to book an interpreter and an appointment for you at Kela. But learn to do these things yourself. You can book an appointment at Kela’s office, on the phone or on the internet. Be sure to book the interpreter as well.

Once you get your online banking user identifiers, you can handle Kela matters on the internet.

If you get a job, please report it to Kela. You may no longer need Kela benefits.

For more information on social security in Finland, see.

Housing allowance

Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) can pay you a housing allowance if your income is small. Housing allowance is intended for housing-related costs.

Kela grants housing allowance to a household, that is, all the people sharing a home. So a household may not mean the same as a family. If a friend moves in with you, he or she will become a member of your household. Then you will get less housing allowance.

In general, Kela grants housing allowance in advance for the coming year. If your situation changes during the year, please inform Kela immediately.

Kela can pay the housing allowance to your account or directly to the account of the person who owns your home. Homeowners often ask that the housing allowance will go to their account. Then the money goes directly to the payment of the rent.

Suitable rent

Once you have found a rental flat, ask at the Refugee Reception whether the rent for the flat is suitable. For the Refugee Reception’s contact information, see. The City of Hämeenlinna has defined how many euros the monthly rent can be at most. Do not rent an apartment whose rent is too high. If you do so, you will have to pay the deposit and part of the rent from your own savings.

Benefits for families with children

If you have small children, you may be entitled to child home care allowance. That means that Kela will pay you an allowance when you take care of your children at home.

If you are about to have a new baby in your family, contact Kela. Before your child is born find out what benefit your family can get from Kela.

Allowance is paid once a month

Kela pays benefits once a month to your bank account. If you do not have a bank account, Kela will send the Osuuspankki bank’s money order to your address. Take the money order to the Refugee Reception. For their contact information, see. The employee will direct you to the bank on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 14.30 if you need help.

If you are receiving housing allowance, Kela can pay it directly to the account of the person who owns your home. So the housing allowance will go directly towards rent payments.

When you move away from Finland

If you move abroad for less than a year, you can usually get Kela benefits. If you work in an EU country, EEA country or Switzerland, you may be transferred to the social security system in that country. Then you will no longer receive Kela benefits from Finland.

If you plan to live abroad for more than a year, you are no longer eligible for Kela benefits. Benefits usually expire on the date you move.