Allowances and rights for people with disabilities
Wellbeing services counties provide various services to people with disabilities. Furthermore in some situations a person with a disability may receive rehabilitation arranged by Kela and assistive devices.
The purpose of the services is to help you to participate in the society’s activities and facilitate life with a disability. This kind of services are for example:
- Assistive devices and home renovations
- Housing services, such as living organized in a communal housing unit or services provided at home.
- Personal help to assist you to cope with everyday tasks home and outside home.
- Transport services
- Daytime activities
- Rehabilitative work activity
- Adaptive coaching for families with a disabled child
- Rehabilitation
- Informal care
- Short-term care
You can read about assistive devices and home renovations on their own page. Further information about support and services can be found on the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s handbook on disability servicesOpens in a new window.. On The Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities pages you can read about the available services to help you with transportation issues in FinnishOpens in a new window..
Take contact with the social services in your wellbeing services county to have your service needs assessed. After that a social worker has assessed your needs for help and support, you will be provided a personal client or service plan. The plan is not a decision on the services. You have to apply for the services separately.
The purpose of disability benefits is to strengthen the autonomy and quality of life of people with disabilities or long-term illnesses. The allowance is intended as financial compensation if a disability causes special costs or the need for help.
You may be entitled to Kela`s disability allowance if
- you have an illness or a disability that has been diagnosed by a doctor
- your functional capacity is impaired for at least a year
- and the illness or disability causes impairment or you need assistance or guidance because of the illness or disability.
Two kinds of disability allowance are available: the disability allowance for persons under 16 years and the disability allowance for persons aged 16 or over.
You can apply for disability benefits from Kela who also gives you advice on how to apply for it. People with disabilities who are retired are not entitled to disability allowance but instead they can apply for care allowance for pensionersOpens in a new window..
Your loved one can apply for informal care support at your wellbeing services county if they regularly help you cope with everyday life with your disability.
Informal care support includes services needed by the cared-for person and a carer’s allowance and carers’ support services and respite care. In the guide As an informal carer for a loved one you can get the appropriate instructions and services for your situation.
The disability card is a communications tool. People with disabilities can use the card to explain that they need to be accompanied by an assistant or need more time for managing their issues. It is a good idea to carry the card when using public transport or visiting sports and cultural events, for example.
The disability card is valid in Finland and the EU Member States that have taken the card into use. The disability card does not entitle users to social benefits. You can apply for the disability card if you already have been granted Kela’s disability benefit or an official decision based on the Act on Disability Services and Assistance. The card costs EUR 10.
You can find more information about EU Disability card Opens in a new window.on the page vammaiskortti.fi. The instructions for how to apply for the disability cardOpens in a new window. can be found on the Kela´s website.
Your underaged child is offered rehabilitation, assistive devices and support at school. There are many kinds of rehabilitation services, for example various occupational therapy and physiotherapy therapy services or rehabilitation services brought at home. Also parents are offered guidance to support the child´s or adolescent`s development in the family`s daily life. Also short-term care can be organized for the child in order to support the family`s coping with the situation.
Your child with a disability may be entitled to supporting daycare free of charge. Your school-age child or adolescent may be for example entitled to school transport or personal assistant. Adolescents with disabilities or prolonged illness are also offered rehabilitative education or rehabilitative work activity.
If you are an informal carer for a child, your child may be entitled to informal care assistance. The Informal Carer for a Child guide (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. helps you understand what informal care means and what kind of assistance is available for informal carers for a child. The guide As an informal carer for a loved one advises families with children towards a smoother everyday life and how to look after your own and your family`s well-being.