Rehabilitation - guide for professionals
Rehabilitation programme
The rehabilitation programme must always take into account the health problems that cause incapacity for work and find ways to improve health, enhance work performance or increase employment.
The rehabilitation is carried out in collaboration with the individual.
Therefore it needs to:
build on a holistic approach
identify the problem that causes incapacity for work
set long-term and short-term goals
identify resources that the individual needs to perform
seek ways to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible
setting timeframes for the intended return to the labour market in part or in full
Inability to work and waiting for rehabilitation alone does not qualify for rehabilitation pension.
It is important that increased work skills are always taken into consideration in rehabilitation and the rehabilitation plan focuses on re-entry into the labour market.
The individual and the supervisor both sign the rehabilitation plan. In cases where the applicant does not have the means to sign the plan, an application for a rehabilitation pension may be submitted through My pages TR and the application is the equivalent of a signature.
Content of the rehabilitation programme
A rehabilitation plan may be provided in a medical certificate or on a form from TR.
The rehabilitation plan must include:
information on long- and short-term objectives
a clear description of the rehabilitation
rehabilitation period
information on the expected return to the labour market in part or in full
prior rehabilitation, if applicable
A clear description means information about:
rehabilitation and with which professional organisations the applicant will use for rehabilitation
how mental, physical and social factors are dealt with
what resources are intended to improve health and increase employment
how frequently in a week or month the remedy is being used. It is not enough to write that the remedy will be used “regularly” or that participation is expected.
If the rehabilitation plan is unclear, further information may need to be requested from the applicant, the rehabilitation supervisor or confirmation of resources.
A stepped-up recovery plan is expected.
Work and learning as part of rehabilitation
Education and part-time work can be part of rehabilitation but may not prevent the possibility of taking care of the health problems that cause inability to work.
If studying or working is part of rehabilitation, an application must be accompanied by:
confirmation of units from school
confirmation of employment participation from the employer
Rehabilitation period
The period of the rehabilitation plan usually determines the payment of the rehabilitation pension. In some cases, the period of payment is shorter than the application, for example if:
rehabilitation plan is unclear
there is a discrepancy between information about resources and periods
Generally, applications are made for 6 months at a time and extended as needed.
A new rehabilitation programme must be implemented at each extension.
The Social Insurance Administration may approve a rehabilitation plan and pension payments for a maximum of one year at a time.
The maximum length of the rehabilitation pension is 5 years, or 60 months.
Service provider
Social Insurance Administration