Basic amount of social assistance
The basic amount is based on a calculation of the amount needed to cover the essential costs of daily living, such as food and clothing.
The rates of the basic amount are set in the Finnish Social Assistance Act. The rates are adjusted annually according to the National Pensions index.
Applicant or family member | Basic amount, |
|---|---|
| Person living alone | 578.43 |
| Person aged 18 or over sharing a household | 497.45 |
| Single parent | 665.19 |
| Person aged 18 or over living with their parent(s) | 422.25 |
| Children aged 10-17 years, oldest sibling | 417.63 |
| Children aged 10-17 years, second oldest sibling | 388.70 |
| Children aged 10-17 years, third oldest sibling and all other children, each | 359.78 |
| Children aged under 10 years, oldest sibling | 375.98 |
| Children aged under 10 years, second oldest sibling | 347.06 |
| Children aged under 10 years, third oldest sibling and all other children, each | 318.14 |
The application is usually made by one family member on behalf of the whole family. Check whether you need to apply for social assistance with your own, separate application or together with your family. That affects your basic amount.
If a child spends half of their time with one parent and half with the other parent or guardian, the child belongs to both families. In that case, the basic amount for the child is divided equally between the two families. Read more about the impact of children’s dual residence arrangements on social assistance payments.
Reducing the basic amount
Everyone has the obligation to look after and support themselves financially to the best of their ability. Kela can reduce (cut) the basic amount (perusosa) of your social assistance (toimeentulotuki) if you do not, for example, register as an unemployed jobseeker looking for full-time work with the employment services and apply for the primary benefits (ensisijaiset tuet) you have the right to after Kela has asked you to do so.
If Kela is considering reducing your basic amount, we will send you a message or letter about this. You will be given a chance to explain why you think the basic amount should not be reduced or why doing so would be unreasonable.
Kela can reduce the basic amount only if you are still left with the income needed to live with human dignity. Also, the reduction cannot be made if it is considered unreasonable.
If your basic amount is reduced, the reduction will only apply to the basic amount calculated for you. In other words, the reduction will not affect the basic amount of anyone else in your family. Kela will not reduce the basic amounts of children under the age of 18.
The basic amount can be reduced by 20%, 40% or 50%
Social assistance (toimeentulotuki) is granted as a last resort when you cannot get help from anywhere else. That is why you always have to apply for all other benefits you may qualify for first. These benefits are called primary benefits (ensisijaiset tuet). Examples of primary benefits include unemployment benefits, housing allowances, student financial aid, sickness allowance, rehabilitation allowance, pensions, child benefit and daily allowances for parents.
Kela may have to reduce the basic amount (perusosa) of your social assistance by 50% if you do not apply for the primary benefits you have the right to within one month of Kela asking you to do so.
We may also have to reduce your basic amount if you do not submit documentation or information we need for your primary benefit or if you withdraw your application. This means that submitting an application is not enough. You must also submit all documentation and information Kela needs to process your case.
We will not reduce your basic amount if you do what we ask you to. More information about the benefits you should apply for first.
| Applicant or family member | Full basic amount (EUR per month) | Reduced basic amount (EUR per month) | Reduced basic amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-person household | 578.43 | 289.22 | 9.64 |
| Person aged 18 or over living in a shared household | 497.45 | 248.73 | 8.29 |
| Single parent | 665.19 | 332.60 | 11.09 |
| Person aged 18 or over living with their parent(s) | 422.25 | 211.13 | 7.04 |
Kela only reduces the basic amount of the person who has not looked for full-time work or applied for other benefits they qualify for. Kela will not reduce the basic amounts of children under the age of 18. The figures in this table apply from 1 March to 31 December 2026.
Are you 18–65 years old and applying for social assistance (toimeentulotuki)? You must register as an unemployed jobseeker looking for full-time work with the employment services of your municipality of residence (kotikunta). This obligation also applies to 17-year-olds who have completed their compulsory education.
Kela will give you one month to register with the employment services. You must keep your registration as an active jobseeker valid.
Kela can reduce (cut) the basic amount (perusosa) of your social assistance by 50% if you do not do what Kela asks you to. The reduction will continue to apply until you register as a jobseeker. We will check if the reduction should still apply every month. At the same time, we also check if it is reasonable for us to continue to apply the reduction to your basic amount.
However, you do not have to register with the employment services and Kela will not reduce (cut) your basic amount if
- you work at least 30 hours per week for an employer (paid employment)
- you are self-employed or independently employed and the amount of monthly income you get from your business or work is at least the same amount as the general social security benefit (yleistuki)
- you study full-time and you use the primary benefits for students, such as student financial aid (opintotuki) and a student loan, to support yourself during your studies
- you are unable to work and you get one of the following:
- sickness allowance or partial sickness allowance
- disability pension
- rehabilitation subsidy or a benefit paid to you based on full incapacity for work
- you are paid an old-age pension or early old-age pension
- you have the right to pregnancy allowance or you are paid special pregnancy allowance, parental allowance or special care allowance, or you have been granted leave on account of pregnancy, childbirth or child care
- you are paid farm closure compensation
- you get rehabilitation allowance or compensation for loss of income on account of rehabilitation
- you are paid a years-of-service pension under the legislation on earnings-related pensions
- you cannot accept work because you are in institutional care
- you care for a child under the age of 3 at home and you get child home care allowance
- you serve as a family caregiver for at least 4 hours a day
- you serve as an informal caregiver for at least 4 hours a day
- you are in military or non-military service
- you cannot accept work for some other reason that is similar to the reasons listed above.
| Applicant or family member | Full basic amount (EUR per month) | Reduced basic amount (EUR per month) | Reduced basic amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-person household | 578.43 | 289.22 | 9.64 |
| Person aged 18 or over living in a shared household | 497.45 | 248.73 | 8.29 |
| Single parent | 665.19 | 332.60 | 11.09 |
| Person aged 18 or over living with their parent(s) | 422.25 | 211.13 | 7.04 |
Kela only reduces the basic amount of the person who has not looked for full-time work or applied for other benefits they qualify for. Kela will not reduce the basic amounts of children under the age of 18. The figures in this table apply from 1 March to 31 December 2026.
If you lose your right to unemployment benefits (työttömyystuki) due to your own actions, Kela can reduce (cut) the basic amount (perusosa) of your social assistance by 20% in the first month and then by 40%. Kela can apply the reduction as a consequence of one of the following:
- a mandatory waiting period (karenssi)
- an obligation to work (työssäolovelvoite)
- an obligation set for a person under 25 without a vocational qualification
- failure to comply with the integration plan.
- Failure to comply with the integration plan may lead to a reduction of the basic amount even if you are not required to register as a jobseeker.
If you lose your right to unemployment benefits for the time being (no time limit), Kela can apply the reduction to your basic amount for a maximum of 6 months. However, your basic amount will go back to normal sooner if you get back your right to unemployment benefits or if you get a job.
| Applicant or family member | Full basic amount (EUR/month) | Reduced basic amount −20% (EUR/month) | Reduced basic amount −40% (EUR/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Person living alone | 578.43 | 462.74 | 347.06 |
| Person aged 18 or over living in a shared household | 497.45 | 397.96 | 298.47 |
| Single parent | 665.19 | 532.15 | 399.11 |
| Person aged 18 or over living with their parent(s) | 422.25 | 337.80 | 253.35 |
Kela only reduces the basic amount of the person who has lost their right to unemployment benefits due to, for example, a mandatory waiting period. The figures in this table apply from 1 March to 31 December 2026.
Kela works together with the wellbeing services counties
If Kela is considering reducing your basic amount (perusosa), we have the right to obtain relevant information about your situation from social services.
If you need help with your situation, you can request an evaluation of your need for services from the social services of your wellbeing services country. You can always contact Kela if you want to discuss matters related to social assistance (toimeentulotuki). We will arrange a time for a discussion within 7 working days (Monday to Friday). We can also arrange to meet you together with a social worker from your wellbeing services county. We will arrange a joint meeting at your request.