English

Who is entitled to basic benefit?

You may be entitled to basic benefit if you have necessary extra expenses as a result of chronic illness, permanent injury or a congenital defect or disability (bodily defect). Extra expenses are defined as expenses that healthy people do not have. You cannot receive basic benefit to cover one-off expenses; it is intended for recurring expenses.

How much will you receive?

You can have extra expenses related to the following covered:

• operation of assistive technology
• transport
• guide dog
• operation of text phone and in special cases ordinary telephone
• use of prostheses, support bandages, etc.
• additional food expenses due to special dietary needs. The necessity of a special diet for the diagnosis in question must be scientifically documented and generally accepted in medical practice. The special diet must help alleviate the medical condition.
• wear and tear on clothing and bedlinen

People whose functional ability is impaired after the age of 70 are not entitled to have extra transport expenses covered. "Extra transport" means that you have to use different, more expensive transport than other people who live in the same area. There are no other age limits for entitlement to basic benefit.

You cannot receive basic benefit to cover the cost of buying prostheses and support bandages, only to cover costs associated with using them.

There are six different rates of basic benefit. Extra expenses must be equivalent to at least the lowest rate of basic benefit.

Detailed conditions concerning additional food expenses

All claims are processed individually. Some diagnoses, for example coeliac disease, entitle sufferers to basic benefit pursuant to fixed rates without the applicant having to provide documentation of the extra expenses. Other diagnoses involving food intolerance and additional food expenses due to special dietary needs are assessed individually.

Extra expenses due to wear and tear on clothing and bedlinen also covers footwear. These kinds of extra expenses are caused by unusually frequent laundering or that simply using them causes extra wear and tear.

How to apply

You must submit a written application for basic benefit. Apply using the special form "Krav om grunnstønad" (Claim for basic benefit) – form no. NAV 06-03.04, which can be found under "Skjema" ("Forms") in the menu on the right

When you select a form, you are automatically taken to a guide to completing the form. Here you must indicate which enclosures and what sort of documentation you must submit with your application. A cover page will also be generated. To help the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) process your application quickly and efficiently, please submit the information given on this cover page. Enclose the cover page at the front of your letter.

Required documentation

• You must obtain the required documentation from a doctor.
• You must also provide documentation of the extra expenses (for example receipts and, as applicable, a list or account of expected extra current expenses).

When is the benefit paid?

Basic benefit is a tax-free benefit and is paid out once a month.

Report changes 

Report changes in conditions that might affect your benefit payment to your local NAV office as soon as possible.

Most of the main information about your entitlements and duties is available here in English. There are also links to other more detailed information; however, some of this information is only available in Norwegian.