Nationwide customer service business unit
National customer services include 4 service units, a specialist medical unit, a benefits and services planning unit, and a customer service unit.
- Switchboard 020 634 11, Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 15:00
- When calling from abroad +358 20 634 11
- Email addresses of Kela's staff: firstname.surname@kela.fi
Our services are available online in our e-service OmaKela, by phone and locally at our customer service points. Choose the way that is most convenient for you.
Bussiness unit management
- Sari Hänninen, service manager
- Noora Piironen, executive assistant
Nationwide service units
The service unit is responsible for processing applications for study, family and unemployment benefits and general housing allowance.
Management of the service unit
Kimmo Ruuskanen, director of Housing, Family and Unemployment Benefits Unit
Centre for Family Benefits
Timo Lunden, head of Centre for Family Benefits
Centre for Unemployment Benefits
Sarita Alarotu, head of Centre for Unemployment Benefits
Centre for housing allowance and Student Financial Aid
Tiina Ahponen, head of Centre for housing allowance
Support Centre for Housing, Family and Unemployment Benefits
Eija Aarnio, head of Support Centre
The service unit is responsible for processing applications for sickness benefits, rehabilitation and disability benefits, medical reimbursements, medical treatment reimbursements and disability pensions.
Management of the service unit
Tommi Hallikainen, director of Health and Rehabilitation Benefits Unit
Centre for Rehabililitation and Sickness allowance
Katriina Santanen, head of Centre for Sickness allowance
Centre for Disability allowance
Markku Lappalainen, head of Centre for Disability allowance
Centre for Reimbursements for medicine expenses
Sam Korhonen, head of Centre for Reimbursements for medicine expenses
Centre for Medical Compensation
Antero Risto, head of Support Centre (until 31 Dec 2026)
Centre of Multi-professionals
Heikki Heilä, head of Centre of Multi-professionals
Centre for Disability Pension
Matti Hynninen, head of Centre for Disability Pension
Support Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Benefits
Antero Risto, head of Support Centre
The service unit is responsible nationwide for processing applications for pensions and pensioner's housing allowance, as well as handling international benefit matters. In addition, the unit includes the scanning center, the interpretation service center for the disabled and Kela's Åland unit.
Management of the service unit
Maini Kihlman, director of Pensions and International Affairs Unit
Centre for Pensions
Esa Rahja, head of Centre for Pensions
Centre for International Affairs
Krista Jalonen, head of Centre for International Affairs
Kela Åland Islands
Hillevi Smeds, head of Kela Åland
Document Scanning Centre
Susanna Vihanne, head of Scanning Centre
Interpretation Service Center for the Disabled
Sari Paloposki, head of Interpretation Service Center for the Disabled
Support Centre for Pensions and International Affairs
Sami Reunanen, head of Support Centre