Disability Benefits

Disability benefits from the National Insurance Scheme are intended to secure income for individuals whose earning capacity has been permanently reduced due to illness, injury, or defect.

Who is eligible for disability benefits?

Disability benefits are intended to secure income for individuals whose earning capacity has been permanently reduced by at least 50 percent due to illness and/or injury. If one is receiving work assessment allowance when applying for disability benefits, it is sufficient that the earning capacity is permanently reduced by at least 40 percent. It is also a requirement that appropriate treatment and work-oriented measures have been completed without improving the earning capacity.

In addition to disability benefits from the National Insurance Scheme, one may be entitled to disability benefits from occupational pension schemes.

Calculation Basis 

Disability benefits are calculated based on the average pensionable income of the three best of the last five years before the person became disabled. The disability benefit amounts to 66 percent of this basis. Those without previous income, or with low previous income, will receive a minimum yearly benefit. Disability benefit is taxed as income.

Combining Benefits and Work

It is possible to combine disability benefits with work also for those who have been granted 100 per cent benefit: One can report to NAV how much one expects to earn during the calendar year. It is only when one exceeds a set income threshold that the disability benefits are gradually reduced. The calculation of the threshold is based on expected income as disabled, added 40 per cent of the basic amount. There is no change in the degree of disability if one earns more than the income threshold.

You can find more information on NAV’s website.