Unemployment Benefits
Article | Last updated: 17/12/2024 | Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion
Unemployment benefits provide partial coverage of lost income during periods of unemployment.
Unemployment benefits have two main purposes: they temporarily secure income for individuals who have lost their jobs, while also being designed to motivate active job seeking.
In this way, unemployment benefits are not only one of the National Insurance Scheme’s income security measures, but also a labour market measure.
Who qualifies for unemployment benefits?
Unemployment benefits can be granted to members of the National Insurance Scheme who have had their working hours reduced by at least 50 percent due to unemployment and have experienced a reduction in income as a result. Additionally, there is a requirement that the member must have had an income of at least 1.5 G in the last twelve months prior to applying for the benefit, or at least 3 G in the last 36 months. Unemployed individuals can receive unemployment benefits for up to 52 weeks if their previous income was below 2 G, and otherwise for up to 104 weeks. To be entitled to unemployment benefits, there is also a requirement to be a genuine job seeker, meaning one must actively seek work, and be willing and able to accept any job, anywhere in Norway.
How much unemployment benefit can one receive?
Unemployment benefits amount to approximately 62.4 percent of the previous income. The benefits are calculated based on the income in the last twelve completed calendar months before the application date, or the average of the last 36 completed calendar months before the application date if that provides a better outcome.
Laid-off workers may also qualify for unemployment benefits
A layoff means that the worker is temporarily relieved from their work duties, while the company is temporarily relieved from its wage obligations for a specified period, but the employment relationship remains. To be eligible for unemployment benefits during layoffs, the layoff must be due to a lack of work or other circumstances beyond the employer’s control. Additionally, the general conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefits must be met.