Due to the financial help from youth allowance and a scholarship I'm now lucky enough to not be endangered by this debt. However, many times during my studies I was taken off or asked to repay parts of my youth allowance, that was then later deemed a mistake. I'm more worried that people I know who are in very fragile financial positions will receive similar letters and feel they have no way out.
At the very least, our government should be better than this. At the worst, this is leading people to suicide, something that has been acknowledged by the government.
Finland is introducing a basic income for those in need, specifically with no strings as attached. They recognise that being in intense poverty is not a choice, being disabled is not a choice, being chronically ill is not a choice, being a sole carer is not a choice. Given small financial support, individuals in these situations reduce their stress and contribute to society immensely.
