Income support is a temporary support measure that helps people to live independently, alleviating the material deprivation of persons and families in need by providing minimum means to meet basic needs.
A person living alone or a family whose monthly net income after housing costs is below the subsistence threshold is entitled to subsistence allowance.
The income limit is set by the Riigikogu in the state budget for each financial year and is the amount that a person must have left for other expenses after covering housing costs.
From 1 January 2026:
- the subsistence threshold for a person living alone or for the first member of a family. EUR 220 calendar month,
- the subsistence level of a minor child EUR 264 calendar month,
- the subsistence threshold for each subsequent adult member of the family. EUR 176 calendar month.
For the purposes of income support, family members are considered to be living in the same household:
1) persons who are married or in a relationship treated as such,
2) first and second degree descendants and ascendants,
3) other persons linked by a common household.
The application for, calculation, award and payment of subsistence benefits are governed by. the Social Welfare Act .
Read more about subsistence allowance From the Ministry of Social Affairs .