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Kela

Kela, short for Kansaneläkelaitos and known in English as the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, is a Finnish government agency that administers the country’s social security system. It is responsible for delivering a wide range of benefits and allowances to residents, families, and eligible groups. Through online services and local offices, Kela processes applications, determines entitlement, and pays benefits directly to recipients or providers. The agency aims to ensure access to welfare and financial security across life events and health conditions.

Kela’s benefits include the national pension and a range of allowances such as sickness, disability, and maternity

Kela was established in 1937 to administer social security and has evolved alongside Finland’s welfare state,

and
parental
benefits;
child
and
family
benefits;
housing
benefits;
and
reimbursements
for
medicines
and
travel
costs
related
to
health
care.
It
also
administers
other
social
security
payments
and
coordinates
benefits
with
other
authorities.
Kela
operates
in
collaboration
with
municipalities,
healthcare
providers,
and
the
broader
social
security
system,
delivering
most
services
through
digital
channels
and
local
service
points.
adopting
a
user-focused
approach
and
expanding
its
online
services.
It
is
funded
from
the
state
budget
and
social
security
contributions,
and
it
functions
under
national
legislation
and
oversight
as
part
of
the
Finnish
welfare
system.