Application for social assistance

Social assistance is a form of last resort financial assistance that is part of social services and intended to safeguard the income of a person or family and promote independent living. Social assistance ensures the minimum income needed for a person or family to retain their dignity.

The need for social assistance is assessed on the basis of the individual or family-specific life, financial and social situation. Social assistance must be applied for in writing, at an appointment agreed in advance, or in some other way approved by the social assistance authority. The client or his/her legal representative must provide the social assistance authority with all the information and documents needed to estimate the need for social assistance. An incomplete application will delay processing of the matter or the application may have to be rejected.

Immigrant unit

In this connection, immigrant refers in particular to people and families of refugee background and Finnish returnees. The staff at the unit provides information on immigration, studying and employment, issues related to interpreter services and problems and decision-making associated with social assistance matters. The staff co-operates with different officials and volunteer organisations.

The activities and work of the employees mainly focuses on people and families of refugee background. Positive integration of those who receive a positive residence permit decision is one important form of work aimed at making these people a part of Finnish society.