Social counselling provides a supportive platform where you can openly discuss your life situation with a professional. Our aim is to offer guidance on applying for benefits and allowances, ensuring you receive the assistance you need.
We provide our services through both phone consultations and our chatbot, Hester. You can find Hester in the bottom right corner of the page, serving you 24/7 and providing anonymous support in general social welfare matters. Should Hester be unable to assist you, a professional is available to chat with you during opening hours.
The Finnish-language chat service is available Mon-Fri 8.15-16.00, while employees from the teams of social work for young people and student healthcare nurses are available in the chat Mon-Fri 12.00-15.00.
Please note that for your security, avoid entering your personal identity code into the bot. If necessary, our social instructor may request you to authenticate yourself using the suomi.fi service.
If you have already been assigned designated social worker from adult social work, ask them directly for guidance and advice.
Call us
Social counselling telephone service
Online information
Confidential message
How to contact us
We are available on weekdays from 8.15–16.00 at tel. +358 9 310 44400(Link starts a phone call).
Sotebotti Hester can be found in the bottom right corner of the page. Sotebotti Hester is a robot that serves you 24/7 and helps you anonymously with general social welfare matters.
If Hester cannot assist you, you can access the chat to talk with a professional during our opening hours. The chat service is available in Sotebotti Hester in Finnish on weekdays from 8.15–16.00. Teams from social work for young adults and nurses from student healthcare respond to the chat on weekdays from 12.00–15.00.
Do not provide your personal identification number to the bot! If it is needed, a social counsellor will ask you to authenticate through the suomi.fi(Link leads to external service) service.
You can ask for general advice and guidance by sending an email to the address sotepe.sosiaalineuvonta.aikuissosiaalityo@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
By using the secure email system, you can communicate with us safely in terms of data security and, if needed, share your personal information. We will respond to your email within 1–3 business days. You can access the secure email service here.(Link leads to external service)
By following us on Facebook you can find answers to your questions.
You can also find this page at hel.fi/social-counselling.