26/3/2024Information leaflet on changes to benefits available for customer guidance in several different languagesOn 1 April 2024, cuts will be made to the general housing allowance and unemployment benefits available from Kela. The benefits of around half a million customers will be affected. Our new information leaflets provide information on the changes in several languages.26/3/2024Kela’s services are back to operating normallyThe technical problem affecting Kela’s services has been resolved and the services are now back to operating normally. The problem first occurred on 25 March and it partially prevented the use of Kela’s services. Because of this, the wait times for Kela's phone service may be longer than usual. The technical problem did not affect the payment of benefits.25/3/20241.4.2024 benefit changes spare pensioners' housing allowance and child benefits from cutsThe housing allowances for pensioners will not be affected by the impending cuts in social security benefits. There will also be no reductions in child benefits. The cuts in social security coming into effect on 1 April 2024 will affect general housing allowances and unemployment benefits. 25/3/2024Easter affects Kela’s opening hours and payment schedulesBecause of Easter, unemployment status reports are filed and unemployment benefits paid earlier than usual. Customers whose application and supporting documents arrive at Kela by 15 March 2024 will have their social assistance payment deposited into their account before Easter. On Holy Thursday, 28 March 2024, regular customer service will be available until 13.00, while service for customers with an urgent need of social assistance will be available until 16.00.19/3/2024Kela e-service now available in SámiKela has launched the first Sámi-language version of the OmaKela e-service. It is now possible to apply for some benefits and send supporting documents in the Sámi-language MuKela or MuuKela e-service. 18/3/2024Cuts in general housing allowances and unemployment benefits will impact around 500,000 of Kela’s customers starting from 1 April 2024Several cuts will be made in April to the general housing allowances and unemployment benefits available from Kela. The benefits of around half a million customers will be affected. The cuts made to the unemployment benefits will reduce benefits right away in April. General housing allowances will be reduced when next reviewed, which will take place no later than March 2025. 1/2/2024Kela launches procurement of information systems used in benefit administrationKela has plans to modernise the information systems it uses for benefit administration and is launching a public procurement for this purpose.31/1/2024Kela services probably not impacted by the demonstration and political strikes scheduled for 31 January – 2 February 2024 It appears that Kela services will not be impacted by the demonstration that trade unions will hold on Thursday, 1 February 2024, and the political strike scheduled for 31 January to 2 February. While Kela taxis will not be targeted by the strike, it is a good idea to book a taxi as soon as possible.31/1/2024How to check your client data if the service provider has ceased operations and the data has been transferred to KelaIf a private provider of healthcare and social welfare service ceases operations, it must ensure that the patient and client data are stored and archived securely. Different organisations can be responsible for storing and archiving the data. These instructions are for clients who want to check the patient data that has been transferred to Kela.11/1/2024Higher education students can now pay the healthcare feeHigher education students who study for a degree and who have registered as attending must pay a student healthcare fee. The new due date for the spring term is 15 March 2024 Kela will send a letter in advance of the due date to students who must pay the fee.21/12/2023Kela gets ready to invite tenders for its benefit administration systemsKela has plans to modernise the information systems it uses for benefit administration and is preparing a public tender. The modernisation is intended to improve customer experience and streamline the benefit processes.20/12/2023Changes to the housing allowance for pensioners year 2024The pensioners’ housing allowance will be frozen at its 2023 level. The allowance is linked to the National Pensions Index. The charges for heating, water and maintenance and the maximum amounts of housing costs will also not be adjusted in 2024–2027. Other rules for determining the housing allowance for pensioners remain unchanged.20/12/2023Changes to Kela benefits in 2024The number of changes to Kela benefits and eligibility criteria scheduled for 2024 is unusually large. Some of the changes will take effect at the beginning of 2024, others not until later in 2024.18/12/2023Changes to Kela unemployment benefits in 2024Parliament has approved a number of changes to unemployment benefits. Among them are cuts to basic unemployment allowances and labour market subsidies, both of which are paid by Kela. Some of the changes will take effect at the beginning of 2024, others not until later in 2024. This press release summarises all of the changes to Kela unemployment benefits that will be implemented during 2024.15/12/2023Front-veterans’ supplements to be increasedThe amounts of the front-veterans’ supplements (both the regular supplement and the supplement payable abroad) will go up to EUR 200 per month. The increased amount will be available starting 1 May 2024. 13/12/2023General housing allowance reduced in 2024, will no longer be available for owner-occupied homes starting in 20251234567page 1/7