Who can receive disability services?
The new Disability Services Act no longer uses the term severely disabled person. According to the Act, the City of Helsinki’s disability services can now be granted to a person who does not receive the services they need based on some other law and whose:
- disability is long-term or permanent due to an injury or illness, or
- the disability or illness prevents equal participation in society, or
- independent living, inclusiveness or equality requires the use of disability services.
A person's life stage now steers the assessment of service needs
A provision on the life stage has been added to the Disability Services Act. Stages of life are childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. In the future, we will assess case by case whether the need for assistance is part of the normal life stage or whether the need is due to some special need. At the same time, we will assess whether you as a client can get the help or support you need through another service defined by law.
The aim of the reform is to promote equality, inclusiveness and independent way of live, and to remove barriers to participation.
Validity of previous service decisions
Decisions made before 1 January 2025 remain valid throughout transition period, i.e. Until 31 December 2027, unless the client’s service need changes or he/she requests a new decision.
However, if the decision expires before the end of the transition period, a new decision will be made based on new criteria.
The Board amended the fees for transportation services
The Helsinki Social Services, Health and Rescue Board made decisions on client fees for transport service trips. The changes apply to trips outside Helsingin Matkapalvelu (Helsinki Travel Service) area and they came into effect on 1 January 2026.
What changed:
- The client always pays a deductible worth HSL's ABCD ticket when the trip is outside the Helsinki Travel Service area or takes place entirely outside of it.
- Disability Services can compensate a maximum of 50 kilometres entirely for business or leisure trips outside the Helsinki Travel Service area. The excess travel is paid for by the client personally.
- If the starting or ending point of the trip is within the Helsinki Travel Service area, but the trip continues outside of it, the client will pay the price of the ABCD ticket for each starting 50 kilometres.
Contact us!
If you are wondering about the new law or changes to transport service fees, please contact your employee. The contact details are on Counselling for people with disabilities pages . We are here for you.
