The updated Act on Social Assistance, which will take effect in February 2026, establishes more stringent eligibility requirements and lowers benefits for recipients in Finland.
The revised Act on Social Assistance, effective February 1, 2026, imposes stricter eligibility and lower benefits, Kela notes in a press release. Kela can now reduce the basic amount in more cases, introducing a 2–3% cut for all recipients over 18.
The €150 earned-income deduction will be removed. Assistance for rent will also change: if applicants don’t apply for primary benefits or register as jobseekers within a month of Kela’s instructions, their assistance may be halved.
Losing unemployment benefits due to personal actions can result in reductions of 20% (first month) and then 40%.
Not following an integration plan may also trigger a 20% reduction.
Clients must register as full-time jobseekers and apply for primary benefits by deadline or explain why to avoid reduced payments starting the next month—unless such reductions would be unreasonable.
Reduction in basic amount for all adults aged 18 and over effective March
From March 2026, all adults (18+) will have their basic amount cut—3% if living alone or with parents; others by 2%. For example, those living alone lose €17.90 monthly. The earned-income deduction ends for most but continues for informal/family caregivers until end-2027.
Starting March 1, 2026, all financial assistance received by those aged 18+ will count toward benefit calculations (previously small amounts were excluded).
Direct ayment of rent assistance to landlords begins in February
From February, Kela will pay rent support directly to landlords where a rental deposit was provided, applying to both new and past recipients.
Rent support might not cover full rent; decision notices detail what Kela pays versus what customers owe.
Customers should ensure automatic withdrawals match owed amounts and cancel them if necessary when Kela pays landlords directly to avoid duplicate payments; any refunds must be arranged between customer and landlord if double payment occurs.
