Kela replying time

[lpuerto]

Hi!

I am a Spanish citizen who has move to Finland for family reasons. I have filed my application to Kela more than a month ago, but they didn't answered yet. They usually tell you that they answer within four weeks, but is this a mandatory period or it is just a common replying time? When I mean mandatory I am referring to a law mandatory.

I think that I am entitle for KELA since my family reasons are that my SO has been hired in a Finnish university with a contract of at least 4 years. As far as I know, when you have a contract longer than 2 years you are moving here permanently. My SO and I have been living together for more than 10 years, we can document the relation because we have joint accounts in Spain since so long, but we are not officially register at any place... (with two into a bed it is not necessary rings, priest or judge...). However I am worry about that, since at kela website can be read:

Family members
'Family members' are considered to include married and cohabiting spouses and partners in a registered partnership. Children under 18 years of age (children of one's own, adopted children or children of one's spouse if living in the same household) are also considered as family members.

A lot of people has told us that here in Finland is not necessary register to count and a partner, you all just have to live together under the same roof. And in the case of the immigrants document the relation. Is this true?

Thanks for everything beforehand!

PS/ I am not employed right now, but I hope soon can find a job here and contribute to the Finnish system... I am very proud of it, and as european I think the whole europe should have a similar system... and the same level taxes and equality, of course. I am a high skilled worker with a degree in forestry and highly trained in GIS. I have been working in Spain almost 4 years but I really love the Nordics.

EDIT:
PS2/ I just forgot to say that I have been already registered at Poliisi and I have also my henkilötunnus, with an electronic ID card on the way...

[betelgeuse]

Hi!

I am a Spanish citizen who has move to Finland for family reasons. I have filed my application to Kela more than a month ago, but they didn't answered yet. They usually tell you that they answer within four weeks, but is this a mandatory period or it is just a common replying time? When I mean mandatory I am referring to a law mandatory.

Constitution of Finland section 21:

"Everyone has the right to have his or her case dealt with appropriately and without undue delay by a legally competent court of law or other authority, as well as to have a decision pertaining to his or her rights or obligations reviewed by a court of law or other independent organ for the administration of justice."

There is no specific deadline given for how fast Kela should handle the application. They only have a deadline of 30 days to handle an appeal (which just means if they don't accept it to relay it to the appeal board that will take months to decide on the issue). They are required to give you an estimate on when you will get you a decision if you ask (hallintolaki 23§ http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2 ... 0434#L5P23)

[lpuerto]

Ok!

Good to know... Is there any clue about what is a family member somewhere? Seems that a long relation with your OS counts as it... but I am not really sure.

Thanks!

[betelgeuse]

Ok!

Good to know... Is there any clue about what is a family member somewhere? Seems that a long relation with your OS counts as it... but I am not really sure.

Thanks!

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset ... 931573.pdf (not all amendments included):

9) family member means the spouse of the person and the person’s or the spouse’s child(ren) under the age of 18 years; as spouses are also regarded a woman and man continuously living in a shared household in marriage-like circumstances;

Do note that the definition of family member is defined individually in different Acts so this definition can't automatically be applied in other contexts.

[eirinn]

We're almost in the same situation. I sent the Kela application form on 17th January, and I've got an (positive!) answer right today. I don't know if that depends on the municipality you live in, but I hope it helps.

[lpuerto]

Wow!!!! Thanks a lot for information Eirinn!

I think decisions are not made locally, they send the papers to a center for the region. I think for Joensuu is Jyväskylä. However... I think a pre-decisions are made locally and then sent to the regional centre. I have heard, Joensuu's office is not very fast in this matters.

I hope I will have the same fate as you and the answer will be positive.