Around 3,000 avoid welfare benefit cuts by registering with Finnish employment services

Around 3,000 people in Finland avoided a 50% reduction to their basic social assistance payments in April by registering as full-time jobseekers with public employment services, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) reported Friday.

An additional 3,000 recipients prevented the cut by applying for primary benefits—such as unemployment or housing support—for which they were already eligible. Kela had urged social assistance recipients to either enroll in employment services or seek alternative benefits under a government reform aimed at reducing reliance on basic welfare payments.

Those who failed to comply within a one-month deadline saw their basic allowance halved. In April, 5,500 individuals had their payments reduced, primarily for not registering with employment services. The basic allowance, covering essential living costs like food and clothing, currently stands at €578.43 per month for a single adult—dropping to €289.22 after the cut.