Higher rate assistance allowance

The child may be granted higher rate assistance allowance if

• the child is under 18 years of age
• child’s needs for care and supervision significantly exceeds those covered by the standard assistance allowance
• the allowance will increase the likelihood that the child can live at home
• the child is a member of Norwegian National Insurance

The child may qualify for higher rate assistance allowance even if the child does not live at home full-time. The condition is that parents, foster parents or other persons who are close to the child provide the care and supervision the child needs.

The child may qualify for assistance allowance even if the child is admitted to hospital.

In considering the need for higher rate assistance allowance, the following is taken into account:

• the degree of physical and mental functional impairment
• the scope of care and supervision needed
• the need for stimulation, training and physical activity
• the total workload on the person(s) providing the care

The child cannot be granted higher rate assistance allowance to cover practical assistance, such as cooking, cleaning or shopping.

Higher rate assistance allowance is granted in accordance with rates 2, 3 or 4. The child’s care needs determine the rate that applies.

If the child lives at home less than 50 percent of the time, the rates for higher rate attendance benefits may be reduced.

If the child is granted higher rate assistance allowance at rate 3 or 4, one of the child’s parents is automatically granted pension points.

Care benefit

If a child is receiving an assistance allowance, and the person providing care and supervision is receiving a care benefit, the municipality may reduce the care allowance. The care benefit may be reduced by an amount equivalent to the assistance allowance.

The municipality may require that you apply for assistance allowance before they will consider granting a care benefit. You may, however, still apply for a care benefit at the same time as applying for an assistance allowance.

The child may receive a higher rate assistance allowance until the end of the month the child turns 18 years old. The child’s need for care and supervision may change over time. NAV will therefore review the allowance every three years. You will receive a letter where we request information.

If the child dies, parents who have been receiving a higher rate assistance allowance for at least three years, have the right to keep the assistance allowance for a transitional period of 3 months after the death of the child. This does not apply to rate 1 allowances.

Higher rate assistance allowances are paid monthly.

Allowances paid to a child will be paid to the bank account specified by the child’s parents or guardian. The account may be in the name of one of the parents, the guardian or the child.

To register an account for a child, you need to fill out the form “Change bank account number” and mail this to NAV.

In your payment overview, you can see upcoming payments several days before the actual payment date. 

The time of day when the payment will be credited to your account will vary, as it is your bank that transfers the payment into your account. Payments can therefore arrive in your account in the afternoon or evening. 

Payments for children

You can call NAV and receive information about payments about your child.

If you are over 18 you can see payments in your overview of payments.

If you haven’t registered an account number on Ditt NAV, then you can receive a payment card in the mail a few days after the regular payment date.

If you don’t want to go to the bank with a payment card then you must register an account number on Ditt NAV, or send a message about your account number by post.

Holiday pay

There is no holiday pay on this benefit. 

Tax 

No tax is deducted from the money.

If your need for a higher rate assistance allowance changes, you must notify NAV immediately.

You must also notify NAV of any changes in your or your child’s health condition, if your expenses changes, or if you are planning to move or stay abroad. These circumstances may affect the amount paid by NAV.

In your application, you must provide the name of the doctor or doctors treating you/your child, as well as the doctor’s address. You do not need to submit medical information.

Apply for higher rate assistance allowance

Please contact NAV if you need more information or counselling, and/or if you need help filling out the form.

You will receive a written decision once NAV has considered your application.