Supplemental benefit
BENEFITS
|Updated 14. November 2023
Supplemental benefit at a glance
You may be entitled to specific benefits to cover certain costs related to occupational evaluations or occupational activities (e.g. for specific measures or to participate in an approved educational or training programme).
You can get supplemental benefits in addition to other subsistence benefits you receive. These may include
- work assessment allowance
- receives benefits while participating in employment schemes (tiltakspenger)
- unemployment benefits (dagpenger) (text in Norwegian)
- if you participate in the Qualification Programme
- if you receive transitional benefits for single mothers or fathers
- transitional benefits for surviving spouses/partners
- benefits for surviving spouses (text in Norwegian)
- benefits for previous family caretakers (text in Norwegian)
Contents
Supplemental benefit at a glance
You may be entitled to specific benefits to cover certain costs related to occupational evaluations or occupational activities (e.g. for specific measures or to participate in an approved educational or training programme).
You can get supplemental benefits in addition to other subsistence benefits you receive. These may include
- work assessment allowance
- receives benefits while participating in employment schemes (tiltakspenger)
- unemployment benefits (dagpenger) (text in Norwegian)
- if you participate in the Qualification Programme
- if you receive transitional benefits for single mothers or fathers
- transitional benefits for surviving spouses/partners
- benefits for surviving spouses (text in Norwegian)
- benefits for previous family caretakers (text in Norwegian)
What is your situation?
Tell us about your situation, and we will only show you the information that is relevant to you.
Who is entitled to this benefit?
You can receive supplemental benefit if you are taking an education that NAV has assessed as necessary in order for you to be able to get a job and support yourself. This also applies if you are registered with NAV as a real job seeker.
To be eligible for supplemental benefits, you must also meet at least one of the conditions below:
- You have impaired work capability due to illness and are participating in an employment scheme.
- You are a single parent and are taking an approved education or are registered with NAV as a real job seeker, and you meet the criteria for transitional allowance.
- You are a previous family caretaker and are taking an approved education.
- You are a surviving spouse and are taking an approved education or are registered with NAV as a real job seeker as an occupational activity.
- You are participating in an employment market scheme.
- You are a job seeker and are without work in the place you live through no fault of your own.
More about supplemental benefits for different situations
What can you receive support for?
You can receive support for various expenses you have in connection with taking education or being a job seeker. What you can receive benefit for depends on your situation.
Showing information for:
Supervision of children
You can receive this if you have impaired work capability, or you are a single parent, a surviving spouse, or a previous family caretaker.
You must provide documentation of your child minding expenses with an invoice made out to you.
If you have private child minding arrangements, such as a babysitter or child minder, you must document your expenses by submitting the agreement you have with the child minder when you apply. Here is a template for an agreement on private child minding arrangements (PDF) in Norwegian. This template also indicates what information we need to process your application.
If your child is looked after by a nanny, au pair or similar in your home, you must submit an “a-melding” report showing payment to the Norwegian Tax Administration. This also applies if the child minder looks after the child in their home. Read more about this on the Norwegian Tax Administration’s website. We also need documentation from the municipal Tax Collection Office (“Kemnerkontoret”) that you have paid the child minder.
If both parents are participating in occupational activities, only one of the parents will receive the child care benefit.
Rates for supervision of children
This benefit covers 64 per cent of your child minding expenses, such as kindergarten, child care at school outside school hours (SFO), or a babysitter or child minder. In other words, you have to pay at least 36 per cent of the expenses yourself.
You can have the costs of child minding covered up to a defined maximum rate set by the Storting.
From 1 July 2023, the following rates apply:
Number of children | Maximum amount per day |
1 child | NOK 207 |
2 children | NOK 270 |
3 or more children | NOK 306 |
If you receive cash-for-care benefit, the amount of benefit you receive per month will be deducted from your documented monthly expenses for supervision of children. The cash-for-care benefit will be deducted from your child care expenses for both the child(ren) you receive cash-for-care benefit for and other children who live with you.
This applies even if the cash-for-care benefit is paid to someone else who lives with you and the child.
Thus, if your cash-for-care benefit is higher than your child minding expenses, you will not be entitled to child care benefit.
You do not earn holiday pay on child care benefit, and the benefit is not taxed.
You may be entitled to reduced parental fees for the kindergarten place if your income is below the municipality’s threshold. Some municipalities have similar arrangements for parental fees for child care at school outside school hours (SFO). Contact your municipal authorities for more information about this.
You must notify us if you are granted reduced parental fees by the municipal authorities, because it may affect your child care benefit. If you receive too much benefit, we can demand that you pay back the excess.
Calculate childcare benefits
Support for learning materials
You can receive this if you have impaired work capability. You can also receive this if you are studying and are a single parent, surviving spouse or previous family caretaker.
Support for learning materials is intended to cover expenses for textbooks, exercise books, photocopying, internet, computer software, and other educational materials. The amount you receive is also intended to cover work materials in connection with practical training or taking a trade certificate, such as flowers, metal, tools, personal protective equipment, workwear, etc.
You can have your expenses related to learning materials covered if you are taking approved education or training. This applies only if you are not entitled to free learning materials under other regulations.
The allowance you can receive for learning materials depends on your level of education and whether you are studying full time or part time.
If you are a pupil in upper secondary education with a statutory right to upper secondary education and training for young people, you will probably get free learning materials and an equipment grant from the county authority. You will therefore not be entitled to have your learning materials expenses covered through supplemental benefit from NAV.
If you are a pupil in upper secondary education with a statutory right to upper secondary education and training for adults, an apprentice, or training candidate, you do not have the same entitlement to learning materials from the county authority and can have your learning materials expenses covered through supplemental benefit from NAV.
If your expenses for books and learning materials are particularly high compared with other students due to a disability, you can have your actual expenses for learning materials covered.
Rates for learning materials
From 1 July 2023, the following rates apply for spring and autumn semester 2023:
Level | Full rate per month | Half rate per month |
Upper secondary school | NOK 422 | NOK 211 |
University college, university or vocational college | NOK 843 | NOK 422 |
Daily travel
You can receive this if you have impaired work capability, receive unemployment benefits, or you receive benefits while participating in employment schemes. You can also get this if you are studying and are a single parent, surviving spouse or previous family caretaker.
You can have your travel expenses covered when you travel to, for example, school, courses, or other work-related schemes.
To qualify to have your daily travel expenses covered, the distance you need to travel between your home and the location of the scheme or education must be 6 kilometres or more each way. Travel distance is calculated using the shortest walking distance. If you need transportation due to your health, you can have the expenses covered even if the travel distance is shorter. You must provide a medical certificate.
Rates for daily travel
NAV will cover the cheapest form of travel. NAV can approve use of your own vehicle if there is no public transport available or it is not practically possible for you to use public transport. In this case, your necessary expenses linked to tolls, parking, etc. can also be covered. In exceptional cases, taxi expenses may be covered.
If you are granted an allowance for daily travel using your own vehicle, you must document the expenses by submitting a digital driving log at nav.no.
From 1 July 2023, the following rate applies:
Type of travel | Rate per km |
Travel using own vehicle | NOK 2.69 |
Travel to gatherings
You can receive this if you have impaired work capability, or you are receiving either unemployment benefit or benefits while participating in employment schemes. You can also receive this if you are studying and are a single parent, a surviving spouse or you are a previous family caretaker.
You can have your travel expenses covered for gatherings that are part of your education. The education must be approved by NAV. We require documentation for your expenses and confirmation from your educational institution that the gathering is mandatory.
The travel distance between your home and the gathering must be at least 30 kilometers each way for you to have your travel expenses covered.
Rates for travel to gatherings
NAV will cover the cheapest form of travel. NAV can approve use of your own vehicle if there is no public transport available or it is not practically possible for you to use public transport. In this case, your necessary expenses linked to tolls, parking, etc. can also be covered. In exceptional cases, taxi expenses may be covered.
If you are granted an allowance for daily travel using your own vehicle, you must document the expenses by submitting a digital driving log at nav.no.
From 1 July 2023, the following rate applies:
Type of travel | Rate per km |
Travel using own vehicle | NOK 2.69 |
Travel due to start-up, conclusion or returning home
You can receive this if you have impaired work capability, or you are receiving either unemployment benefit or benefits while participating in employment schemes. You can also receive this if you are studying and are a single parent, a surviving spouse or you are a previous family caretaker.
You can have your travel expenses covered if you have to move because you are going to take education. These are travel expenses in connection with the beginning and end of the education and trips home during the programme.
You can have up to four round trips home covered. You can have expenses for more trips home covered if you have children who have not yet completed four years of school.
We can grant support for more trips home if there are special reasons you need to travel home, such as family reasons or for treatment. This must be documented by a doctor.
Rates for travel due to start-up, conclusion or returning home
NAV will cover the cheapest form of travel. NAV can approve use of your own vehicle if there is no public transport available or it is not practically possible for you to use public transport. In this case, your necessary expenses linked to tolls, parking, etc. can also be covered. In exceptional cases, taxi expenses may be covered.
If you are granted an allowance for daily travel using your own vehicle, you must document the expenses by submitting a digital driving log at nav.no.
From 1 July 2023, the following rate applies:
Type of travel | Rate per km |
Travel using own vehicle | NOK 2.69 |
Travel expenses to get work elsewhere
You can receive this if you are a job seeker.
If you are without work through no fault of your own and cannot find work in the place you live, you may be entitled to an allowance in connection with
- follow-up to find work
- a job interview in a place other than the place you live
- starting to work in a new workplace
The travel distance must be 50 kilometres or more each way for you to be able to have your travel expenses covered. In NAV’s assessment of whether you are unemployed through no fault of your own, we will not attach importance to anything that occurred further back in time than 8 weeks.
You must apply to have your expenses covered before the trip or the move is made. Payment will be made when NAV receives receipts documenting your expenses.
Rates for travel expenses for job seeker
NAV will cover the cheapest form of travel. NAV can approve use of your own vehicle if there is no public transport available or it is not practically possible for you to use public transport. In this case, your necessary expenses linked to tolls, parking, etc. can also be covered. In exceptional cases, taxi expenses may be covered.
If you are granted an allowance for daily travel using your own vehicle, you must document the expenses by submitting a digital driving log at nav.no.
From 1 July 2023, the following rate applies:
Type of travel | Rate per km |
Travel using own vehicle | NOK 2.69 |
Housing and overnight accommodation
You can receive this if you have impaired work capability. You can also receive this if you are studying and are a single parent, surviving spouse or previous family caretaker.
You can have necessary extra expenses for housing and accommodation covered if you have to stay away from home while you are in education.
These are expenses for housing or overnight accommodation that are in addition to your housing expenses in your home location, or expenses you have because your living expenses at the location of the learning are higher than your previous living expenses in your home location.
If you have higher extra housing expenses than other people in the same situation as you due to a disability, you can have your actual expenses covered.
You must provide documentation of your expenses for housing and accommodation by means of, for example, a rental contract, an overview of the interest on your loan for housing, electricity, or hotel, motel or cabin expenses.
If you are entitled to housing allowance pursuant to the Housing Support Act, you are not entitled to support for the same living expenses through NAV.
Rates for housing and overnight accommodation
From 1 July 2023, the following rate applies:
Type of benefit | Maximum amount per month |
Housing benefit | NOK 4,633 |
Relocation
You can receive this if you have a limited ability to work, or you are a single parent, a surviving spouse or you are a previous family caretaker.
You can get support for your relocation expenses if you have to move to start a new job.
This also applies if you have to move to another country in the Nordic region or the EU / EEA.
If you are taking or are going to take education, you can have necessary expenses covered if you have to move to complete education or training. This also applies if you need to move to start a new job once you have completed your education.
You must apply to have the expenses covered before you move. You can choose to use a removal company or do it yourself.
Rates for relocation
If you are using a removal company, you must obtain two written estimates. You can have the lowest offer covered.
If you obtain offers from removal companies and then decide to do it yourself, you can have necessary relocation expenses covered up to the amount in the lowest offer.
From 1 July 2023, the following rate applies:
Type of travel | Sats per km |
Travel using own vehicle | NOK 2.69 |
How long can you receive supplemental benefit for?
Normally you will get benefit from the day you applied. In some cases, we can grant back-payment of supplemental benefit for up to three months. You need to apply before we can assess whether you are entitled to this.
When is the money paid out?
There is no fixed date for payment of supplemental benefit. Supplemental benefit is paid out in three different ways:
- If you have applied for and been granted support to cover regular expenses, you will receive the benefit each month. The payment date will be the date on which the decision was approved.
- If you have applied for and been granted support for daily travel using your own vehicle, you will receive the payment approximately two or three working days after you submit your driving log.
- Support for learning materials, travel and relocation are intended to cover one-off expenses. If you have applied for and been granted this benefit, you will be paid the money as soon as we have received all the necessary documentation from you, after you have moved or completed your journey. The money will be in your bank account approximately two or three working days after NAV makes the payment.
In your overview of payments, you can see the payment in the evening on the day the money is paid out.
Holiday pay
There is no holiday pay on this benefit.
Tax
No tax is deducted from the money.
You must notify us of any changes
You must inform us about changes, such as if you:
- cancel a labour market schemes, education, or courses
- have changes in your travel route, family situation, or childcare expenses
- plan a stay abroad
This may affect the amount you receive from us.
Your responsibilities
You must be in work-oriented activity or approved education to be entitled to supplemental benefits. If you do not completed your activity, you will lose your benefit.
How to apply
The application is digital, and you will be asked to log in.
It is important that you fill in all relevant points and enclose all necessary documentation. Then your case will be processed faster. You will be notified during the application process if you need to document any of your information.
If you are unable to submit a digital application, you must contact us by phone (55 55 33 33) so we can book an appointment for you at the NAV office.
You can contact NAV for more information and guidance, and/or help filling out the form.
You will receive a written decision once your application has been processed.
Processing time for applications
The processing time is the time from when we receive your application until we have made a decision. Remember that we need all the necessary documentation to process your application.
Case concerns | Expected case processing time |
---|---|
Application | 6 weeks |
International application | 6 weeks |
Send driving log for approved use of private car
Send us the driving log if you have been granted the right to reimbursements for the costs of using your own car. You must state the number of days and document parking expenses.
Right to complain
Have you received a decision from us that you think is wrong? You can complain to the NAV Unit that issued the decision. They will reassess your case. If they do not agree with your complaint, they will forward it to the NAV Appeals Management Unit.
Complain about a decision
The decision will have information about how to proceed if you want to complain, where to send your complaint and the term of complaint. If you have questions about the decision, you can contact us.
Appeal a decision
If you disagree with the decision of your complaint from the the NAV Appeals Management Unit, you can, with some exceptions, appeal the decision. The deadline for appealing is stated in the decision.
You can also use a lawyer or give a power of attorney to a person who complains on your behalf.
More about
Processing time for complaints
Have you received a decision from us that you think is wrong? You can complain to the NAV Unit that issued the decision. They will reassess your case. If they do not agree with your complaint, they will forward it to the NAV Appeals Management Unit.
Case concerns | Expected case processing time |
---|---|
Complaint to the NAV unit | 14 weeks |
Complaint to the NAV Appeals Management Unit | 15 weeks |
Appeals to the NAV Appeals Management Unit | 15 weeks |
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