Changes to payment of social assistance: social assistance earmarked for rent to be paid directly to the landlord

Parliament has passed a legislative amendment concerning social assistance which will change the way the part of social assistance earmarked for rent is paid. The amendment will enter into force on 1 February 2026. After that date, Kela will pay the part of social assistance earmarked for rent directly to the landlord if Kela has granted the customer a rental security deposit for their current home as part of social assistance. This also applies to all customers who have received a rental security deposit from Kela before the law was changed.

The aim of this amendment is to ensure regular rent payments and to prevent debts and evictions due to unpaid rent. Another aim is to clarify and speed up the processing of social assistance applications and to minimise disputes about rent payment between landlords and customers.

Important to note about social assistance and rent payment

The part of social assistance earmarked for rent will not necessarily cover the rent in its entirety. This means that the customer must themselves pay the rest of the rent to the landlord. Information on the amount paid by Kela and the amount that the customer must pay is given in the decision on social assistance sent to the customer.

If the customer has set up a direct debit from their bank account for the payment of rent, it is important to note that the amount of social assistance may vary from one month to the next. The amount of social assistance depends on the customer’s income and assets as well as expenses during each month. Read more: How is social assistance calculated? (kela.fi)

When Kela starts to pay the part of social assistance earmarked for rent directly to the landlord, it is important that the customer ensures that there are no overlapping payments. If the customer has already paid the rent in full to the landlord in the same month, it is up to the landlord and the customer to decide between themselves how any excess payment should be returned to the customer.

The legislative amendment concerning rental security deposits included under social assistance does not affect the payment of housing allowances

In 2024, Kela granted social assistance to 249,600 households. A total of EUR 825 million was paid in social assistance, out of which 43% or EUR 357 million was for housing costs. Kela granted rental security deposits to a total of 28,826 customers in 2024.

Prior to the amendment that will enter into force in February 2026, Kela has been able to pay the part of social assistance earmarked for rent directly to the landlord only if the customer has given Kela permission to do so or if the customer has neglected to pay rent.

The legislative amendment concerning rental security deposits included under social assistance does not affect the payment of housing allowances Where housing allowance is concerned, Kela can still only pay it to the landlord if the customer has given Kela permission or if the customer has neglected to pay rent. Kela always pays the housing supplement for students directly to the student.

Additional information for customers

• Social assistance and rental security deposits (kela.fi)
• Housing costs that can be recognised under the social assistance scheme (kela.fi)