Financial support for families
Who is entitled to benefits?
In order to be eligible for benefits, you usually need to be live permanently or work in Finland. Your child’s citizenship does not affect your entitlement to benefits. However, the parents’ residence permit may affect the financial benefits that the family can obtain.
Read more on the page Finnish social security.
Applying for benefits
Most of these benefits are applied for from Kela. You can submit the application either through Kela’s online service or as a paper form. The online service is available in Finnish and Swedish. You can print out paper application forms from the Kela website.
Benefits are paid once a month, to the bank account of one of the parents.
Remember to check whether you are entitled to benefits in your home country as well.
Paying benefits abroad
In some cases, you may also receive benefits during your stay abroad. This is possible if Kela considers that you are still permanently residing in Finland. Benefits such as child benefit, maternity grant and daily allowance for parents are also paid abroad. For instance, if the mother moves to another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland during the parental leave period, she may continue to receive parental allowance. Notify Kela if you reside abroad for longer than three months.
More information about benefits for families with children
More information about benefits for families with children is available on the InfoFinland website: Support during pregnancy, Benefits for a family after a child is born, Benefits for looking after a child at home, Child benefit and Single parent families.
If the family has a low income, they can also gethousing allowance. Unemployed jobseekers are eligible for unemployment benefits.
Information about what to do if you have trouble making ends meet is available on the InfoFinland page Financial problems.