The arrival of a baby and caring for young children often challenge families’ ability to make ends meet. You may have to be absent from work for months or even years, compromising on working hours and career progression even after you return to work. Your partner will also have to make similar choices.
If you live in a one-adult family, the situation is often even trickier.
Coping in a hard financial situation
- Try to pay your household bills in the right order: If you do not have enough money to cover all of your family’s expenses, make sure that you are able to pay your housing costs and electricity bill and buy food and medicine.
- Make sure that no one in your family has any unnecessary automatic invoices running for online streaming services or other underused mobile and online licences.
- Make sure that you have provided up-to-date information on your income to service providers such as your early childhood education provider and Kela. Many service providers do not update their income-based payments automatically, whereby you will need to report any income changes yourself.
- Utilise the support schemes for families with children run by organisations and foundations. You may be provided with aid such as clothes, school supplies or support for hobbies.
- Do not take out new loans to settle your old debts, unless it is a restructuring loan with better terms provided by the Guarantee Foundation or your bank.
- Seek financial advice and public assistance early, as there is a risk of your problems accumulating.
Financial advice and benefits
Seek help for your family in good time. Not paying your bills or resorting to loans in a difficult financial situation will not bring relief but only postpone and increase the problem.
Read about our services to support your livelihood. If necessary, we can help you with aspects such as strengthening your work ability or obtaining credit for small-scale purchases. The National Legal Services Authority and many organisations and associations also provide free-of-charge financial advice in Helsinki.
Make sure that you are utilising all the Kela benefits that your family is entitled to. Are you entitled to a housing benefit, unemployment benefit or sickness allowance, for example?
If your family has already applied for any other benefits that you are entitled to but you still do not have enough money to cover your essential expenses, social assistance may be right for you. Social assistance is intended as a short-term solution for essential expenses.
Read the Kela guidelines carefully and follow them when you apply for social assistance. Even minor income, savings or grants can prevent you from receiving social assistance. Incomplete information may also lead to your application being rejected.
