Social assistance is a last-resort form of income security. It is usually granted for a month at a time, and it is based on the client's essential expenses.
The assistance is the amount by which the client's eligible expenses exceed income and assets.
Social assistance consists of
- basic social assistance
- supplementary social assistance and
- preventive social assistance.
|
Basic social assistance |
The basic social assistance is based on the basic amount which is defined in the Act on Social Assistance and adjusted annually by the national pension index. In 2011, the full basic amount was EUR 419.11 for persons living alone and single parents. The expenses to be covered by the basic amount include:
In addition to the basic amount, basic social assistance is granted for housing costs, such as rent or maintenance charge, water rate, heating, electricity bill and home insurance premium as well as health care cost that are higher than minor costs. |
|
Supplementary social assistance |
The supplementary social assistance covers special expenses such as
|
|
Preventive social assistance |
The municipalities grant also preventive social assistance the grounds for which the municipalities get to decide. The purpose of preventive social assistance is to further a person's or family's independent living as well as to prevent social exclusion. It can be granted for instance for measures to alleviate difficulties as a result of over-indebtedness or a sudden deterioration of the financial situation. |
Who is eligible?
Social assistance is available for a person or family whose income and assets are not sufficient to cover the essential expenses of everyday life. It can also be granted to support independent living as well as to prevent social exclusion.
Where to apply?
Social assistance is applied at the social services office of the municipality. In urgent cases, it is possible to apply for social assistance also at the social services office of the temporary municipality of residence.
How long does it take to get a decision on social assistance?
The decision on social assistance must be given at the latest on the seventh weekday from receipt of the application. In urgent cases the decision must be made on the same weekday or at the latest on the following weekday. The applicant must be provided an opportunity to discuss personally with the social worker or social advisor at the latest on the seventh weekday following the day when the applicant asked for it.
Further information under Social and health services
The status and rights of clients and
patients
Application of the preference income continues until the end of 2014
The employment of persons receiving social assistance is promoted by enabling them to get earned income alongside the assistance. When social assistance is granted, at least 20 per cent of the household's income (but no more than EUR 150) is excluded from the assessment. This will apply until the end of 2014. The types of income to be excluded are listed in section 11 of the Act on Social Assistance.
Regional State Administrative Agency monitors the processing times for social assistance applications
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is concerned over the prolonged processing times for social assistance in municipalities and has requested the regional state administrative authorities to draw the municipalities' attention to the appropriate application of the Act on Social Assistance.
Further information:
Further information is available at the municipality's social services office.
