Social Services

Financial Social Assistance

Financial social assistance is a benefit provided by the local Nav-offices to individuals who are unable to support themselves.

If you cannot support yourself through work or other income sources (such as benefits from the National Insurance Scheme), you may be entitled to financial support. First, you must use all available means to support yourself. If this is not sufficient, you may be entitled to financial support.

What determines the amount of social assistance?

Financial social assistance is a discretionary benefit. The Nav-office assesses whether you should receive support and how much you should receive, based on your actual needs. The Social Services Act does not specify exact amounts for the support.

Appeal Options

If you receive a decision of rejection or approval for financial support, you can appeal to the County Governor.

• NAV’s website on financial social assistance
• Guide for financial social assistance (NAV.no)

Qualification Programme

A full-time program for people between the ages of 18 and 67 who need extra follow-up to be able to get into work.

• NAV’s website on Qualification Programme

Financial Counseling and Debt Counseling

The local Nav-offices shall offer information, advice, and guidance to solve or prevent social problems.This includes also advice and guidance to individuals with financial problems, regardless of whether they are entitled to financial support or not. Many municipalities have their own debt counsellor.

• NAV’s website on financial counseling

Temporary Housing

The local Nav-offices is responsible for assisting in providing housing for individuals who cannot secure housing on their own.

This responsibility does not give the individual the right to demand housing from the municipality. If you have an acute housing need, the Nav-office is obligated to find temporary housing for you.

This obligation only applies in emergency situations. Decisions on temporary housing can be appealed to the County Governor.