Where do I start?
When money is tight, the biggest obstacle is often not a lack of information but not knowing where to begin. Choose your situation below — we'll guide you straight to the right place. Further down we also explain the most common terms in plain language.
Your situation is most acute right now
If you have no money for food today or tomorrow, start here. Emergency help tells you who to call and where to get help right away.
You want to know which benefits you are entitled to
The Finnish system is full of benefits that many don't know how to claim. Check with a few questions what you might be entitled to — anonymously, without signing in.
You have debt or are in enforcement
Debt or enforcement does not mean you have lost your rights. On the contrary — the law protects you in many ways, but only if you know how to claim it. Start with these.
You need legal advice — on any matter
Many people don't know that a legal aid office gives everyone a free short initial consultation, regardless of income — and it isn't limited to debt. You can call about a rental dispute, the end of an employment relationship, a divorce, an inheritance or a consumer dispute. The adviser will tell you whether your matter needs broader legal aid and point you towards the right place.
If you need actual legal aid (for example, an assistant for your case), it can also be partly or fully paid for by the state depending on your income — it's always worth asking, even if you think you can't afford it.
You want to chat or ask others
You are not alone with your situation. On the anonymous forum you can ask anything and share tips with others — without a real name, without judgement.
Glossary — what do these words mean?
The language of bureaucracy is an obstacle for many. Here are the most common terms in plain language, so you know what is being talked about when you seek help.
Social assistance (toimeentulotuki)
Last-resort financial support, when other income and benefits are not enough for essential expenses (food, rent, medicine). Basic social assistance is applied for from Kela. Even a person in work can get it, if their income is very low.
General benefit (yleistuki)
Replaced the labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance from 1 May 2026. Intended for an unemployed jobseeker. Applied for from Kela or an unemployment fund.
Housing allowance (asumistuki)
Support for housing costs for those on low incomes. The general housing allowance is applied for from Kela. The amount of support depends on income, housing costs and the size of the household.
Protected portion (suojaosuus)
The part of your income that enforcement may not take — the law guarantees that a certain amount is always left for you to live on. In 2026 the protected portion is 33.03 € per day for you and 9.65 € per day for each dependant.
Payment-free month (vapaakuukausi)
A month when enforcement is not carried out on wages or benefits, even though enforcement is otherwise in force. A low-income person usually gets 3 payment-free months a year, sometimes 4 on request.
Payment plan (maksusuunnitelma)
An agreement on how you repay your debt in smaller instalments on a schedule that suits you. It can be made with enforcement or with the creditor.
Debt restructuring (velkajärjestely)
An arrangement confirmed by a court in which an over-indebted person's ability to pay and their debts are reconciled. Finally, the remaining debts can be forgiven. Help with applying is available from the free financial and debt counselling.
Payment default entry (maksuhäiriömerkintä)
An entry in the credit information register, which arises when a bill goes unpaid for a long time. It makes getting a loan, rental flat or phone contract more difficult. It is removed in due course, but removal sometimes requires action of your own — the entry does not always disappear automatically.
Financial and debt counselling (talous- ja velkaneuvonta)
A free and statutory service that helps with arranging debts and planning finances. Most people don't know that this is free. The service is provided by the National Legal Services Authority's offices.
Legal aid office (oikeusaputoimisto)
A state-run office that gives a free short initial consultation on any legal question — not just debt, but also things like tenancy, employment, family or consumer disputes. Actual legal aid (such as an assistant) can be partly or fully paid for by the state depending on your income.
Diaconal assistance (diakonia-avustus)
Financial or other help given by a parish to someone in a difficult situation — it does not require parish membership or religiousness. It can be, for example, food aid or a small contribution towards a bill.
Medicine cap (lääkekatto)
An upper limit on how much you pay for reimbursable medicines in a year. When the cap is reached, you pay only a small deductible per medicine for the rest of the year. Kela tracks the cap automatically.
Payment cap (asiakasmaksukatto)
An upper limit on public healthcare client fees in a year. When the cap is reached, services are mostly free for the rest of the year. Note: you have to track this cap yourself — it does not accrue automatically; you need to collect the receipts.
Save Arkikahvila on your phone
The site can be installed on your phone like an app — free, with no app store and no sign-in. Once installed, Arkikahvila opens from its own coffee cup icon in its own window. Instructions by browser:
- Chrome (Android): menu ⋮ → Add to Home screen → Install
- Edge (Android): menu … → Add to phone
- Firefox (Android): menu ⋮ → Add to Home screen
- iPhone and iPad (Safari and other browsers): Share icon → Add to Home Screen
- Computer (Chrome and Edge): the install icon that appears at the right end of the address bar, or menu → Install app
Firefox on the desktop does not support installing sites — there, the option is an ordinary bookmark. The installed app can be removed at any time like any other app, and installing stores no information about you.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
If you didn't know where to start, a good rule of thumb is: the more acute the situation, the higher up this page you start. You can also ask for advice on the anonymous community forum — many have been in the same situation.