Financial assistance (social assistance)

If you meet the requirements in Lov om sosiale tjenester i arbeids- og velferdsforvaltningen ("Act on social services in the Labour and Welfare Administration") and do not have other ways of supporting yourself, you are entitled to financial assistance.

In order to receive financial assistance you must have considered all other options for supporting yourself, such as a wage, disability benefits, employment schemes, educational loans, using your savings or reducing your expenses.

The amount of financial assistance you receive, as well as the kind of further help and follow-up you might get, is evaluated individually and according to your needs. For example, financial assistance is often provided in combination with advice and guidance.

Who is eligible for financial assistance?

• Anyone who is legally present in Norway and who cannot support themselves through work or by being entitled to other benefits. Everyone has the right to submit an application and have it assessed.
• Spouses are responsible for supporting each other. It is a requirement that their spouse's income and ability to provide support must be evaluated and fully employed before someone is entitled to assistance.
• When legally and temporarily resident in Norway, citizens of the Nordic countries have the same rights as Norwegians. Tourists from other countries have limited rights to assistance. These tourists should contact their embassy.
• Newly arrived refugees must attend the introduction programme.
• If you are abroad you are not entitled to financial assistance.

How do you apply?

Your local office of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) will receive your application and evaluate your need for assistance. The NAV office will usually want to talk with you before processing your application, for example in order for you to consider your need for assistance together with NAV staff. It may be necessary to make a comprehensive assessment of your financial, social and health situation. Decisions on applications are made following an individual assessment.

Application form

The NAV office has created the local application form which must be filled in with the necessary documentation enclosed. For further information, contact your local NAV office or check your local municipality's homepage.

Most NAV offices require you to document your income and expenses, and you will receive a decision faster if you enclose the necessary documentation with your application.

Relevant enclosures to the application may include

• your last tax statement
• balances for all your accounts
• copy of your rental or subletting agreement to document your housing costs
• income and benefits for the past three months
• documentation of any housing benefits you receive
• information about loans, debts and similar expenses
• receipts for rent payments and electricity payments
• costs of doctors, physiotherapist, chiropractor and dentist 
• costs of nursery, after school programme or other child minding services
• insurance costs
• information about your savings in saving schemes

The application must be submitted to your local NAV office.

A case worker can make a notification to allow you to apply orally, should you require this. You have the right to use a represented who looks after your interests.

Case processing and payment

Everyone who applies for social assistance have the right to receive a written reply. The processing times vary, but must always meet the regulations in the Public Administration Act. If the processing will take more than one month, you will be notified of a preliminary decision.

Many municipalities have their own deadlines for the processing of applications for financial assistance. If you are in acute need of assistance, you will receive a fast reply.

The payment of the financial assistance varies, and each municipality makes its own regulations regarding payment. As the assistance aims to make the applicant financially independent, the payment schedule tends to be determined with this goal in mind.

What are the social assistance rates?

The rates for financial assistance are discretionary, and your local municipality determines the rates. All applications are to be decided based on an individual consideration of your financial, health and social situation.

The assistance is a short-term contribution to your independence. Your local office of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) has both a right and a duty to make discretionary decisions. This means that the office evaluates your necessary subsistence costs.