How much time does the social security decision take?

[betelgeuse]

I went to the sosiaali and left my papers. No social worker or something. just a guy took my papers and said that they will make a decision in 7-8 days and they will send me an email if they need something more from me. Should I worry?

Sounds normal for Finnish bureaucracy. The income support decision is required by law to be done in 7 working days. Most likely they will do it towards the end of the allotted period so you can count from that when to expect it.

Do you mean until I have no money or as long as I have money in my account?
So do they really expect from someone to have 0 euro??

Yes the income support expects you to spend all the money in the bank account before they give you money. The deal is that you are supposed to apply for Kela first. Kela will eventually process your application and then pay back from the date you were eligible. While Kela is processing it, you will either by living of savings or income support. If you are on income support, then the Kela money will go directly to the municipality. If you feel like the duty to give advice or give you a written decision in a reasonable time has been violated then you can make the State Ombudsman investigate (there's a web form to submit the complaint):

http://www.oikeusasiamies.fi/Resource.p ... /index.htx

[cors187]

My problem is that why they didn't inform me first thing on what is needed (back in May), then I would have arranged things differently

Your expected to read the fine print in webpages.

[betelgeuse]

My problem is that why they didn't inform me first thing on what is needed (back in May), then I would have arranged things differently

Your expected to read the fine print in webpages.

Unfortunately this might be the case sometimes in practice. However, officials are required by law to give guidance:

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2 ... 30434#L2P8

[inkku]

My problem is not regarding the papers. Every country asks for papers. Mine asks for even more papers that sometimes are not even related to the matter. My problem is that why they didn't inform me first thing on what is needed (back in May), then I would have arranged things differently. I might have even left back then, which would have been easier for everyone.
For instance, if they had told me, are you registered with TE Office? No. Then you should go and register, but do you have social security already? No. Then apply now and do the rest in the meantime. Anyway, there is no way of changing the past. I might have been unlucky and Ι got an officer who didn't think about it.

That's exactly the main problem,they should have the equivalent of CAB in England,where people could go and get info about what to do step by step,run by pensioners.Let's hope things will improve with the new reform,with kela,jobcentreplus and all the other apparachick being merged into one, softer machine

OP is not a member in the social security system (no social security number) but he has applied for social benefits and denied them. Since he had been living in Finland for quite sometime, I don't think it is a grave mistake from the KELA/TE part to assume that he knows and understands his rights and duties. Why do you think this is case for a CAB type of institution?

Sometimes I have a feeling that a few writers on this forum have an illusion that once you arrive at Finland, you just go to the offices to pick up your due benefits. KELA as such ia an institution which requires a complete overhaul, and their confusing regulations are difficult for their own staff to work with but on the other hand I think their website has quite good instructions and advice what to do when studying, moving in/out. A person who has been studying in Finland is expected to know how to search information on internet.

[neronakos]

OP is not a member in the social security system (no social security number) but he has applied for social benefits and denied them. Since he had been living in Finland for quite sometime, I don't think it is a grave mistake from the KELA/TE part to assume that he knows and understands his rights and duties. Why do you think this is case for a CAB type of institution?

Sometimes I have a feeling that a few writers on this forum have an illusion that once you arrive at Finland, you just go to the offices to pick up your due benefits. KELA as such ia an institution which requires a complete overhaul, and their confusing regulations are difficult for their own staff to work with but on the other hand I think their website has quite good instructions and advice what to do when studying, moving in/out. A person who has been studying in Finland is expected to know how to search information on internet.

Well, I searched for information on the internet and I know how to search. But, on the unemployment brochure, there is nothing more than go first to the TE Office and register as unemployed. So, I even took an extra time to go to KELA first time to ask what is needed in particular, because I am not trusting the internet since there might be something else that is pending (like in my case). Even Finns tell me that KELA should have informed me. But except from me that I am an ignorant human being, KELA is also consisting of people, not powerfull godlike entities. It is only natural that they thought I knew, or they didn't pay enough attention ,they forgot or they didn't want to tell me. Who knows? I'll never learn. But, at least someone in the future who will read my post and doesn't know about social security, he will know

[neronakos]

Hi guys, just a follow up.
So don't know what the Sosiaali will decide, but today I got money from KELA in my bank account and it says: peruspaivaraha. I don't know for which months this money is and I don't know, if I will get a different deposit for the rent allowance. I guess this means that my decision came up positive. But, I haven't received a letter as an answer yet! Moreover, it breaks the record of waiting just 5 weeks.

[betelgeuse]

I guess this means that my decision came up positive. But, I haven't received a letter as an answer yet! Moreover, it breaks the record of waiting just 5 weeks.

All the decisions are available through their web service. The paper copy will arrive in a day or two.

[neronakos]

I guess this means that my decision came up positive. But, I haven't received a letter as an answer yet! Moreover, it breaks the record of waiting just 5 weeks.

All the decisions are available through their web service. The paper copy will arrive in a day or two.

Nice! Unfortunately, I haven΄t yet connected my bank account with the web sevices (I need to do that as well).