Tuetavat

Tuetavat is a Finnish term used in social policy and administrative language to designate the persons or groups who are the recipients of financial support, subsidies, or other forms of assistance. The word is formed from the noun tuki (support) and the participial ending -ttava, yielding a plural that is commonly translated as “the beneficiaries” or “the supported.” In practice, tuetavat can refer to individuals such as low‑income households, students, pensioners, or people with disabilities who meet statutory eligibility criteria for a given benefit, as well as broader groups defined by age, family status, or housing needs.

In official texts the term typically appears in definitions, eligibility criteria, or tables that specify who is entitled to a particular form of aid. Its usage helps distinguish those who receive support from other actors in the system, such as funders, administrators, or service providers. Because its exact scope is defined by legislation and program rules, the set of tuetavat can vary between different benefits and over time as policies change.

The concept is primarily found in formal Finnish rather than colloquial speech. In everyday language, people more often speak of avun saajat (recipients of aid) or other concrete descriptions of eligibility. Related terms include tuettu (the supported person), tuetut (the supported individuals collectively), and maksajat (the payers). Tuetavat thus functions as a technical umbrella for identifying beneficiaries within welfare and subsidy programs.