Departments

The Department of Welfare Policy

Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion

The Welfare Policy Department is responsible for tasks related to income security, living conditions, and follow-up for those who have fallen out of the workforce due to health or social issues. The department has a special responsibility for sickness benefits, work assessment allowance, disability benefits, and the Social Services Act. The department is also responsible for several other schemes within the National Insurance Scheme, including care benefits, basic and attendance benefits, and assistive aids. The department coordinates the ministry’s work on the follow-up of the Inclusive Working Life Agreement (IA Agreement).

The department has the following sections:

Section for Work Assessment Allowance and Social Services (SAS)

The section is responsible for work assessment allowance, the Social Services Act, and policy and professional development to improve the living conditions of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The section oversees the ministry’s management of the county governors and the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision and coordinates the department’s work with the management of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Directorate.

Deputy Director General: Vibeke Trålim  

Section for Sickness Benefits and Inclusive Working Life (SIA)

The section is responsible for sickness benefits, care benefits, training allowance and attendance allowance, and the follow-up of the IA Agreement. The section coordinates the department’s work on the the state budget, and efforts towards improved cooperation between health and labour services.

Deputy Director General: Tarjei Havnes

Section for Disability Benefits and International Affairs (SUI)

The section is responsible for disability benefit, assistive/technical aids, and basic and attendance benefits. The section coordinates international affairs within the department ((EU/EEA, Council of Europe, UN, OECD, Nordic Council of Ministers) and the department’s R&D work, in addition to follow up on the ministry’s R&D dialogue with the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Directorate.

Deputy Director General: Haakon Hertzberg