Several welfare areas and Helsinki's child protection aftercare have filed a complaint against Kela to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. According to MTV's report, since autumn 2024, Kela has allegedly been systematically interpreting financial resources provided for child protection, specifically independent living support, as income. This change has led to reduced or entirely denied social assistance benefits for young individuals, creating concerns about the lack of updated guidance or notification regarding these changes.

The complainants argue that Kela's approach contradicts the intended purpose of the law and jeopardizes the legal safeguards for clients of child protection services. They contend that previous interpretations allowed young people to access independence funds for specific purposes without considering such funds as income that could impact their eligibility for social assistance. The new interpretation by Kela has raised significant apprehensions among welfare authorities, suggesting a deviation from the supportive framework meant to assist vulnerable youth.

As the situation develops, it raises broader questions regarding the administrative practices of Kela and their alignment with the legal protections afforded to young individuals transitioning from child protection. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges and complexities within the social welfare system, especially during critical transitions in the lives of young people seeking independence and stability.