Appealing income security decisions

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health does not process requests for a review, objections or complaints. Instead, it drafts legislation on appeal boards and this way ensures the legal protection of people when they request a review.

A decision on income security and the reasons for it are always issued in writing. The decision includes instructions on how and where to request a review of the decision.

If clients are dissatisfied with decisions on allowances or benefits, they may request an administrative review or a judicial review by appeal.

The social services ombudspersons appointed by the wellbeing services counties may give advice on how to request a review of a decision on social services or supplementary or preventive social assistance. They may also provide advice if clients are dissatisfied with the service they received.

A review of a decision may be requested as follows:

Social assistance

Basic social assistance

Payer of the benefit

Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela)

Request for an administrative review

Kela’s Appeals Management Centre 

Request for a judicial review

Administrative court

Preventive and supplementary social assistance

Payer of the benefit
Wellbeing services county

Request for an administrative review
Competent authority in the wellbeing services county

Request for a judicial review
Administrative court

The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) is the national authority that guides, authorises and supervises social welfare services.

Benefits paid by Kela 

Payer of the benefit
Kela offices

First request for a review
Social Security Appeal Board (in Finnish and Swedish)

Subsequent request for a review
Insurance court

Unemployment security, training benefit, job alternation compensation, training allowance, employer’s liability component

Payer of the benefit
Kela offices, unemployment funds, Employment Fund, Education Fund     

First request for a review
Social Security Appeal Board (in Finnish and Swedish)

Subsequent request for a review
Insurance court

Earnings-related pension

Payer of the benefit
Employee pension institutions

First request for a review
Employee Pensions Appeal Board

Subsequent request for a review
Insurance court

Compensation for accidents and occupational diseases

Payer of the benefit
Insurance institutions

First request for a review

Subsequent request for a review
Insurance court