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What other forms of social support/welfare should I know about? (Buddy systems, etc.) Who is eligible? How does someone apply?Reception centres can provide you with a range of reception services, including healthcare and social services as well as reception allowance. However, if your residence in Finland is permanent, you may be entitled to financial assistanceย from Kela
There may also be an entitlement to Kela benefits for someone who works in Finland and is paid at least EUR 741.75 per month. This must be checked in each particular case. Ukrainians who have not yet received financial assistance from reception centers can request emergency Information on the provision of social support Reception allowance If necessary, you can apply for and be granted reception allowance. The possible funds and income you have at your disposal will affect whether you will be granted reception allowance and the amount of the allowance. You can make an application for reception allowance at your reception centre. You must report in the application all the funds and income that you have at your disposal. You will get more information and advice on how to fill in the application at your reception centre. The reception allowance is usually paid to a prepaid card. In exceptional cases, it can also be paid in cash. If you have a personal Finnish bank account, the reception allowance can be paid to your bank account. The reception allowance consists of the basic component and the supplementary reception allowance. The basic component of the reception allowance is intended for clothing, minor health care costs, expenses on the use of local transport, and telephone costs, for example. The basic component is also intended for food costs if the reception centre does not offer daily meals. In addition to the basic component, you can apply for supplementary reception allowance for the special needs of you and your family. Under law, a maximum of 150 euros of your wage income may be excluded from the calculation, meaning that this sum does not reduce the amount of your reception allowance. The rest of your wage income will still affect the amount of the reception allowance. Under law, a maximum of 50 euros of other income than wage income may also be excluded from the calculation, meaning that this sum does not reduce the amount of your reception allowance. For a family, the corresponding sum is 100 euros. The calculation will regard as expenses the basic component of the reception allowance and your work-related expenses if you have a job. Monthly reception allowance and spending allowance in 2023 Reception allowance:
Free legal assistance of UA Support |
Are there any social benefits I can claim such as child support?The Social Insurance Institution of Finland pays child support for all children under the age of 17 living permanently in Finland. Save the Children Finland |
Are there any social benefits for pregnant and nursing women?There are no special benefits, but pregnant and nursing woman are entitled to receive maternity clinic services. |
How can I meet and socialize with other Ukrainians in a similar position?The Association of Ukrainians in Finland has established the Help Center for Ukrainians in Helsinki. There you can receive counseling, psychological support, clothes, and other assistance, as well as socialise with other Ukrainians. Please check their website here |
Are there specific social supports available to me if I am elderly?Municipalities are responsible for arranging the social and health services that older people require. Informal carers of elderly people may receive support and other assistance from municipalities. On pages Acting as an informal carer Further information is available through the information portal on citizens' services |
Are there specific social supports available to me if I have a disability?Mobility aids, rehabilitation and services helping in independent living are available to people with disabilities. People with hearing and speech difficulties have the right to receive interpretation services. Many of the services are jointly provided by municipalities and non-governmental organisations. Informal carers of disabled people may receive support and other assistance from municipalities. In the guide As an informal carer for a loved one Further information is available through the information portal on citizens' services |
How can I help others? What volunteering organisations could I join?You can join the Association of Ukrainians in Finland, which is organizing humanitarian aid for those in need in Ukraine and coordinates assistance to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Finland. Please find more information on the website of the organization here |
How can Ukrainians apply for a Ukrainian pension abroad?According to the Ministry of Reintegration, Ukrainians who were forced to go abroad due to the war can now send an application for the appointment or renewal of a pension by mail. An application for the appointment (renewal) of a pension can be sent to any territorial body of the Pension Fund of Ukraine, regardless of the person's place of registration. |