What should I do if my disability pension application is denied?

Returning to your job

If your employment relationship is still ongoing, first consider with your employer what opportunities you might have to return to work. You can also discuss your situation with your occupational health physician or treating physician. You, your doctor and your employer can look into how your work could be arranged. It is also worth considering whether you could do another job at your workplace that would suit your health.

If you have been an entrepreneur and are continuing your business, consider how you could reorganise your work to make it easier for you.

If your employment relationship has ended or you have stopped working as an entrepreneur, you should register as a jobseeker with the Employment Services. If Employment Services cannot provide you with work corresponding to your profession or suitable for your work ability, you can apply for unemployment allowance from your unemployment fund or Kela. The unemployment fund provides earnings-related unemployment allowance and Kela provides basic unemployment allowance or labour market support.

If your employer cannot offer you work that suits your health, you can receive unemployment allowance even if your employment relationship is ongoing. Ask your employer for a certificate of this and give it to Employment Services.

Vocational rehabilitation

You may have received a preliminary decision on vocational rehabilitation along with your pension decision. The aim of vocational rehabilitation is to help you stay in working life, i.e. to return to being an employee or entrepreneur. Vocational rehabilitation may include work try-outs, job coaching or retraining. We individually assess which vocational rehabilitation method is most appropriate for you.

If you do not have access to Ilmarinen’s vocational rehabilitation, you can apply for vocational rehabilitation from Kela. The vocational rehabilitation services provided by Kela include, among other things, vocational rehabilitation assessments, vocational rehabilitation courses, rehabilitation aimed at supporting the integration into work, work trials, job coaching, training and business subsidy. You can also apply to Kela for assistive devices to support your work or studies.

If you need rehabilitation due to an occupational injury, occupational illness or traffic accident, rehabilitation will be compensated for by the accident or motor liability insurance company. Vocational rehabilitation under the Occupational Accidents, Injuries and Diseases Act and the Motor Liability Insurance Act takes precedence over the vocational rehabilitation provided by Ilmarinen. Rehabilitation under the Occupational Accidents, Injuries and Diseases Act and the Motor Liability Insurance Act includes, for example, medical and vocational rehabilitation, assistive devices and home modifications for the severely injured.

Medical rehabilitation

In order to remain able to work, you may also need medical rehabilitation. For medical rehabilitation, contact your occupational health care provider, your health centre, the rehabilitation research unit of your central hospital or your local Kela office. Ilmarinen does not organise or pay for medical rehabilitation.

Social assistance

If you do not receive income from anywhere else, apply for social assistance. You can apply for it from Kela and supplementary social assistance from your municipality of residence.

Filing an appeal

If you are dissatisfied with a decision you have received, you can appeal it within 30 days of having received it. Read more about filing an appeal.

Read more about filing an appeal >