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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 Finnish Supervisory Agency is a national, multi-sectoral government authority responsible for licensing and permits, supervision, registration, enforcement, and guidance tasks across various fields.
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, 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