Social Assistance
Social assistance is a statutory right but also a form of financial assistance that is granted as a last resort. Its purpose is to ensure income in situations where a person’s salary, unemployment security, pension security, health insurance, or other income does not cover his or her essential daily needs.
All those in need of support and unable to make a living through paid work, self-employment or other benefits securing a living, or from other income or assets, by being cared for by persons liable to provide them with maintenance, or in some other way, are entitled to social assistance (Section 2 of the Finnish Act on Social Assistance).
The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) grants basic social assistance.
Link to the webpage of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela)
Supplementary and Preventive Social Assistance
The Joint Municipal Authority for the Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia grants supplementary and preventive social assistance. In order to qualify for supplementary assistance, a decision on basic social assistance is required from Kela (does not apply to funeral grant applications).
Supplementary Social Assistance
Special expenses caused by a person’s or family’s exceptional circumstances may be covered with supplementary social assistance (for more details, see the Implementing Directive in the link below).
Preventive Social Assistance
The purpose of preventive social assistance is to further a person’s or family’s social security and independent living as well as to prevent social exclusions and long-term dependence on social assistance.
Contact your municipality’s Social Welfare Services and book an appointment. When you have received a decision on basic social assistance, you can apply for supplementary and preventive social assistance. You can receive help in filling out the application forms if you’re unable to do it by yourself. Moreover, you can receive guidance and support in matters concerning both life management skills and income.
Application
Contact a social worker from your nearest unit.
Address: Korsholmsesplanaden 44, 65100 Vasa
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Requests, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10-11, phone 040 549 6738
Senior social worker, phone 040 136 3642
Address: Grundtrygghetsavdelningen, Vallinmäentie 43 (2.vån), 66400 Laihela
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Senior social worker, phone 040 132 1593
Address: Korsholms Kommun Socialvårdstjänster, Centrumvägen 4, Smedsby
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Senior social worker, phone 040 136 3642
Information is open Tuesday and Wednesday 12 – 15 and Thursday 9 – 12
Address: Socialkansliet, Öurvägen 31, 66800 Oravais
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Social worker, phone 06 218 3822 weekdays at 9:00 – 10:00 am
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Phone time weekdays at 10 – 11 am. phone 044 403 8573
Social info, Strengbergsgatan 1D. Open weekdays at 9 – 12 am.
Address: Malmgatan 5, 66100 Malax
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Requests, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10-11, phone 040 549 6738
Senior social worker, phone 040 136 3642
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Requests, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10-11, phone 040 549 6738
Senior social worker, phone 040 136 3642
Address: Närpesvägen 4, 64200 Närpes
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Senior social worker, phone 045 132 1593
Address: Lappfjärdsvägen 10, 64100 Kristinestad
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Requests, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10-11, phone 040 549 6738
Senior social worker, phone 040 136 3642
Address: Slussgatan 11 A, 64260 Kaskö
Call Centre, phone 06 218 9400
Open Monday – Thursday 8-15 and Fridays 8–14.
Requests, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10-11, phone 040 549 6738
Senior social worker, phone 040 136 3642