Income
Social assistance
Social assistance is a last-resort measure in financial support of the social care. It is intended for situations where the applicant, his/her family’s income or property is not sufficient to cover necessary daily expenses. The firsthand income system for a student living in Finland is the student financial aid that is meant to cover study and living expenses. The student financial aid is mainly available for Finnish students, but in some cases it can be admitted to foreigners as well.
Social assistance is meant only for the municipal residents. It consists of basic social assistance from Kela and supplementary or preventive social assistance from city’s social services. The amount of the social assistance is determined by subtracting the costs from the allowance of the person. The remainder will be granted as an social assistance. The supplementary social assistance is admitted for specific purposes and costs and it’s purpose is to progress the independent managing of daily life and the securing of daily income. Preventive social assistance can be granted to safeguard the living of the person or to help in the rapid deterioration of a person’s financial situation.
City of Tampere: Supplementary and preventive social assistance ›
Financial and debt counselling
Financial and debt counselling services are intended for private individuals and for self-employed persons and entrepreneurs engaged in small-scale business activities. The services are provided free of charge.
Financial and debt counselling services are provided by the state legal aid offices. You may turn to any legal aid office irrespective of your municipality of residence. It is also possible to receive counselling as a remote service via video connection.