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Situation of persons with disabilities in Finland

Terttu Manelius

Planning officer

Disability Policy

Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilites

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Organizations paying disability and old age pensions in Finland

The Social Secutiry Organization of Finland (KELA) is a state own insurance institution. - Benefits and services and based on residence of Finland- KELA pays disability pensions for people who are born disabled or who because of their sickness or disability have none or very little work history

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Organizations paying disability and old age pensions in Finland

The Employee Pension Institutions are private insurance companies-They pay disability pensions which are based on average fixed earnings from the period before person became disabled or sick

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Organizations of Vocational Rehabilitation in Finland

- Accident insurance companies- Motor vehicle insurance companies- Employee pension institutions

- Social security institutions (KELA)- Employment and economy offices

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A fixed-term law 2010-2013 to promote the return to work of people on a disability pension

- Earning limit of 600 euros without losing disability pension- If earnings rise over 600 euros, beneficiaries may suspend pension payments for 3 months – 2 years- Pensioners can reclaim their pensions without having to undergo new disability assessment, if they stop working or earnings no longer exceed the earning limit.

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Young Persons Rehabilitation Allowance

- For 16-20 year old people whose earning potential has essentially weakened and who require intensified rehabilitation- Goal of the allowance: to assist recipients into working life or allow significant additional income alongside disability pension- In 2009 there were 4383 young rehabilitation allowance beneficiaries- Is payed by KELA

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Social Enterprises

- Purpose: to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed- At least 30 % of employees in a social enterprise have to belong to the target group- Employment and economy offices pay part of the wages of the target group to employers for a maximum period of 3 years

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Pay subsidy

- Pay subsidy is payed by Employment and economy office- It is payed to the employer of an unemployed job seeker- It can be payed from 10 months to 2 years- A disabled person can receive subsidy for a 24 month set two times in a row

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Support for arrangements for working conditions

- 2500-3500 euros to fund workplace changes or purchases depending on the degree of illness or disability- 250-350 euros/month for assistance given by another employer for a period of 1-2 years- Payed to the employer by the Employment and economy office

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The Finnish Disability Forum

- Includes 28 organizations presenting people with disablity or long-term illness

- Within the forum there operates an employment network of 14 organizations