Benefits agency Kela rejects about a quarter of applications for basic social assistance each year, according to the social insurance institution.
The benefit is considered a last resort form of support for households unable to cover daily essentials.
The refusal rate has long remained stable, amounting to roughly 300,000 negative decisions annually.
Two factors account for most rejected claims. Either the applicant's own income — or that of a spouse — exceeds the eligibility threshold, or the applicant fails to supply additional information requested by Kela.
Often, the missing information is as simple as a bank statement.
