Amount of donor allowance and criteria for special care allowance to change in January

After the amendments enter into force, donor allowance (luovutuspäiväraha) will compensate the donor for their actual loss of income due to cell, tissue or organ donation and any necessary associated tests or examinations. Under the current rules, donor allowance is calculated on the basis of annual income in the same way as sickness allowance.  In 2024, Kela paid donor allowance to 41 recipients.

Specifications made to the criteria for granting special care allowance

As of 1 January 2026, the criteria for granting special care allowance (erityishoitoraha) will be specified so that, going forward, the most crucial criterion is the level of care instead of the place of care. Kela can pay special care allowance to parents who participate in specialist-level treatment or rehabilitation that is given to their child due to the child’s illness, medical condition or disability. Specialist-level treatment can also be provided outside hospitals or hospital outpatient clinics. In 2024, Kela paid special care allowance to 4,840 recipients.

The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2026. They will not apply to donor allowance or special care allowance that was granted before 1 January 2026.

Read more

Sickness allowance on account of human cell, tissue or organ donation (kela.fi)
Special care allowance (kela.fi)