Participants in the Personal Budgeting project want the pilot to continue

The Personal Budgeting project for disability services in Western Uusimaa started in November 2020. From 19 April to 5 September 2021, the project carried out a small-scale pilot to test new, client-oriented, and cost-effective mobility support services. Clients were given the chance to try out a euro and kilometer allowance, a routing model, and car leasing.

The clients described the euro and kilometer allowance model as something that disability organisations and people with disabilities have long been calling for. Clients reported using their allowances for commuting and leisure travel several days a week on average. Participants felt that their quality of life had improved significantly.

The allowance consists of a budget of a certain amount, which the client can use for trips of their choice, including trips out of town. The use of the model was perceived to increase planning ahead, as tracking the costs and planning the expenditure increased one’s understanding of the costs of transport.

Having the allowance granted for a period longer than a month was seen as a positive matter. The organisers of the pilot received praise. The service also took into account the individual needs of the clients. Some users were dissatisfied with the service provider, but the technical implementation of the service provider was praised.

Some of the pilot clients did not mention any negative aspects of the model itself in the feedback survey. It was expressed that a more flexible and user-friendly model would be to allow the client to choose the transport company from multiple options, taking into account the possible need for the right to a familiar taxi driver. The pilot only included one service provider.

Despite prior planning, the trial of the routing model in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area using public transport did not materialise as hoped due to the pandemic and personal reasons. Only one client tried this model. The client traveled by bus, took the metro, and returned by taxi. The client bought the ticket via a telephone app and called the taxi service provider. The client’s feedback on the trial was positive.

Car leasing model

The car leasing model was also tried out by one client. The client’s feedback on the trial was very positive. Having access to a car increased their enjoyment and quality of life because they could move around freely. They used the car for errands and leisure trips and to pick up their child from daycare. The client felt that the mileage set for the pilot period was very sufficient and expressed that they would be happy to be involved in the further development of car leasing trials.

The Personal Budgeting project in Western Uusimaa started in November 2020. The project tested new, client-oriented and cost-effective mobility support services.

The pilot was perceived as a very good, successful, and, above all, necessary trial. The pilot has significantly facilitated and equalised mobility for the participants. The participants would like the pilot to continue.

The planning involved clients, disability services professionals, and cooperation networks. In addition to Espoo, the pilot included Lohja, Kirkkonummi, and the Karviainen Joint Municipal Authority.

The project will receive state funding for the period from 1 September 2020 to 31 December 2021. The activities are directed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The pilot projects aim to create a single, nationwide model for personal budgeting. The projects are also being used to assess the need for legislative changes. 

Project Specialist Elisabeth Salmenkari-Ryhänen, elisabeth.salmenkari-ryhanen@espoo.fi, tel. +358 (0)43 827 3168

Personal Budgeting project, Western Uusimaa, City of Espoo / Disability Services