Special cases on maternity benefits

clarissa · Post by **clarissa** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:00 pm

Hi,

I have some questions about maternity benefits and how things work in different cases.
I am 13 weeks pregnant and I have not Kela coverage, but my husband does. Could we apply for any maternity benefits (maternity pack for example) on the basis of my husband's Kela coverage?

I will start a temporal job in about 6 weeks and the pay and contract lenght (4 months) will be enough to apply for Kela health benefits, but I have read that at that point (19 weeks pregnant) I might not be able to apply for all maternal benefits anymore. Nevetherless, does someone know if that contract would be enough so Kela would cover the delivery costs and we wouldn't have to pay the 2000 euros or more that they say they change on foreigners?

I know it would be good idea to ask these things directly from Kela , but I haven't received the decision about my residence permit renewal so I don't know if my status remanins the same, or if it will improve.

Thanks for your time and answers!

**Sponsor:**

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:51 pm

You need to be yourself covered to get maternity benefits (or covered health care costs), coverage for your husband is not enough.

For maternity and parental (money) benefits there indeed is an earlier coverage deadline, for health care costs (including delivery costs) important is that you're covered on the day when you need that care.

blackdragone · Post by **blackdragone** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:01 am

Hello and congratulations!
I'm currently pregnant (31 weeks), so I went through some bureaucracy lately

. The time to apply for maternity benefits (I mean the monthly child benefit and the maternity package) is at latest 2 months before the due date. Therefore there's still plenty of time for you.
Of course until you don't have Kela card you cannot get the free health care from Neuvola... but you can always go to some private doctor to keep your pregnancy checked and then maybe (if possible) switch later to Neuvola.
Good luck!

Paola

Julia Diagne · Post by **Julia Diagne** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:39 am

Hi Clarissa and also congrats!
just can suggest - if you already have SSN(henkilötunnus) you should get all neuvola service (and it shouldn't cost you).
you also can apply for kela benefits now after your pregnancy'll be registred in neuvola - if you get your residence later. Main thing for you - focus on your health, keep calm and everyting shall be fine.
here is Pdf book in english "we are having a baby" originally issued in finnish, this's eng. version. there you can find some helpful information (page 99) http://www.thl.fi/thl-client/pdfs/34344 ... 4100fbba9a

clarissa · Post by **clarissa** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:56 pm

blackdragone wrote:The time to apply for maternity benefits (I mean the monthly child benefit and the maternity package) is at latest 2 months before the due date. Therefore there's still plenty of time for you.

That's why I am confussed, because I read in Kela's site that you can apply for the for maternity benefits the latest 2 months before the birth, but to apply then you need to register your pregnancy and be covered by Kela 180 days before the due date, which for me will be already next week... but I still jave no answer about the residence permit.
I have read here that some woman didn't received the maternity pack because of that, even whenshe asked directly in Kela and the lady there first told her that she would.

blackdragone wrote:Of course until you don't have Kela card you cannot get the free health care from Neuvola

I though the same because of the some experiences I read here, but I went to ask to neuvola anyway like 2 months ago. The midwife there wondered why I didn't have a Kela card, but she still gave the appointment. I have had 3 appointments in neuvola already (including ultrasound and doctor check) and they haven't charged anything, even when I have no Kela. I just wonder if I was really not supposed to be allowed in Kela and at somepoint they will realize and charge for all the appointments... hopefully not

clarissa · Post by **clarissa** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:06 pm

Thanks Julia!

They gave us that book in finnish, so it's great you send the link in english.
I am really trying not to worry about these things with the benefits, if we don't get them there is nothing to do, we will still manage (we wouldn't get any in our home country either). If they come, they will be an extra blessing and that's why I just want to be sure I didn't miss them for lack of time or knowledge. We are already so happy with our little guy that we can't ask for more!!! Thanks for your advices!

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:23 am

clarissa wrote: That's why I am confussed, because I read in Kela's site that you can apply for the for maternity benefits the latest 2 months before the birth, but to apply then you need to register your pregnancy and be covered by Kela 180 days before the due date, which for me will be already next week... but I still jave no answer about the residence permit.
I have read here that some woman didn't received the maternity pack because of that, even whenshe asked directly in Kela and the lady there first told her that she would.

Complicated, but I'd wait for the permit (not over the two month limit), then submit both the application for KELA coverage, asking for the coverage with a starting date matching (or bit earlier than) the 180 day limit and also the applications for the maternity benefits. Worth the try at least.

blackdragone · Post by **blackdragone** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:39 pm

I agree with Rip... Also I must say I never understood how certain decisions are taken here. As soon as we arrived here, my boyfriend applied for unemployment benefits, did all Finnish language courses required from the work office and stuff... and they always refused him money except for a very brief period... and we didn't understand why

. This is why you should try anyway. When you fill those forms there's space for notes... maybe you can try to clarify you situation (like the job thing) there and it will help. Also, the fact your husband has a job (hence he's paying taxes to Finland) could help. Who knows! I think Finnish people are mostly afraid of foreigners who come here and "steal" their benefits without giving anything in exchange... so try to underline why this is not your case. This is my suggestion based on experience and assumptions about their behavior.
Good luck with everything!!

Paola

clarissa · Post by **clarissa** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:44 pm

I went today to ask to Kela, but the lady said, as I expected, that she can't tell me anything for sure, since they haven't said anything about the residence permit...
after today I am not really expecting much to happen from Kela side anymore, since the 180 day will be this wednesday... and because here honestly, you never know what will happen, so it's better not to hope for much... I kind of guess already what they will say anyway, so I can just wait and see.

Thanks everybody for your answers and support

you are really cool for hanging around and trying to give nice advices!

By the way, Paola, congratulations on your pregnancy (I forgot to mention it earlier)!

Kayphilip · Post by **Kayphilip** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:21 pm

Congratulations Clarissa.
Im afraid your chances of getting maternity benefit if it lies in the hands of human is less than slim. You must live in Finland for at least 180 days with resident permit to qualify. It used to be for every mother since 1947--but foreigners arrived and the rules of the game has to change. The layette- that you will get for sure----it used to be for low income mothers since 1938---but now it is for every mother. The maternity clinic you qualify to get but the ultrasound you should be expecting some 175euros bill in your post if you are not lucky. Hope you get your resident permit very soon..

clarissa · Post by **clarissa** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:35 pm

Kayphilip wrote:Congratulations Clarissa.
Im afraid your chances of getting maternity benefit if it lies in the hands of human is less than slim. You must live in Finland for at least 180 days with resident permit to qualify.

Thanks!! Me and my husband couldn't be happier with our little guy...

I have a residence permit valid until beginning of February 2013, the same one I have had for the last 2 years. In November 2012 I applied for the new permit, but after 2 months haven't got any answer back. I have been living in Finland for almost 2 and a half years now... but I have never been covered by Keal, and that is the problem with the 180 days.

Kayphilip wrote: The layette- that you will get for sure----it used to be for low income mothers since 1938---but now it is for every mother. The maternity clinic you qualify to get but the ultrasound you should be expecting some 175euros bill in your post if you are not lucky. Hope you get your resident permit very soon..

I hope I could get the layette at least, but that seems to be related with the 180 days minimun coverage too, even when the application is until 2 month before the due date. So there is not much hope either.

Good to know about the ultrasound so we are prepared for it. I had the first one a couple of weeks ago, it was 2D and it was done in neuvola so I am not sure if they are billing that one. The other one is in 2 months and is supposed to be 3D or 4D in the city hospital, so it makes sense to expect being charged for that one.

Thanks for your help!

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