From the beginning of February 2026, working-age and able-bodied social assistance recipients who do not have an acceptable reason to not look for work must register with the employment services as full-time jobseekers and keep their jobseeker status valid. The Parliament of Finland approved the amendment proposed by the Government in December.
If a client does not register as a jobseeker looking for full-time employment with the employment services within one month despite being asked to do so, Kela may reduce the basic amount of social assistance by up to 50%.
Not all recipients of social assistance are obliged to register as jobseekers. For example, retired people, full-time students or people with diminished work ability are not, in principle, obliged to look for work.
More emphasis on applying for primary benefits
Social assistance is a last resort benefit paid when other income, resources and benefits are not sufficient to cover essential daily expenses. The aim of the amendment is to strengthen the role of social assistance as a last resort, to redirect clients to primary benefits and to reduce the need for long-term social assistance.
Primary benefits include the unemployment benefit, housing allowance, study grant, sickness allowance, parental allowance or pension.
The basic amount of social assistance may be reduced if the client does not apply for the primary benefits to which they would probably be entitled, such as unemployment benefit. The reduction can be up to 50% if the benefit is not applied for within one month of the request to do so.
Sanctions related to unemployment benefits, such as mandatory waiting periods, will have a greater impact on social assistance in the future. The loss of unemployment benefits is no longer fully compensated by social assistance.
Employment Services to support clients during the changes
Helsinki Employment Services and Kela will cooperate to ensure that clients receive timely information about their obligations and the support they need to start or continue their job search.
Clients are encouraged to contact Helsinki Employment Services if their situation is unclear or changes.
Other stricter criteria for social assistance
The basic amount of social assistance for all recipients aged 18 and over will be cut by 2–3% from 1 March 2026 onwards. Furthermore, the monthly earned-income deduction of 150 euros will be abolished for social assistance recipients.
In the future, small grants and minor incomes will also be fully taken into account when calculating social assistance for adults. The change may particularly affect those clients who have occasional income in addition to social assistance.
