Supplementary benefit for disabled refugees under the age of 67

To be entitled to this benefit, you must have applied for disability benefit in January 2021 or later.

You must have refugee status according to section 28 of the Norwegian Immigration Act. You have received this decision from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. You must also meet the medical criteria stated in sections 12-4 to 12-7 of the National Insurance Act. You have received this decision from NAV.

You must have a residence permit and be resident in Norway.

All income and assets from Norway and abroad are included in the calculations when NAV determines whether you are eligible for supplementary benefit. This also applies to your spouse, co-habiting partner or registered partner.

If you stay out of Norway for more than 90 days during your benefit period, you will no longer be eligible for supplementary benefit.

Supplementary benefit will ensure an income equivalent to the National Insurance Scheme’s minimum disability benefit. The rate you get depends on whether you have a spouse or live alone. 

The supplementary benefit will be reduced by the total income you and any spouse, co-habiting partner or registered partner have.

The exception is if your spouse, co-habiting partner or registered partner has reached the age of 67 or is a disabled refugee.

• If your spouse has turned 67 years old, the free amount is the same as the ordinary rate for guarantee pension (NOK 18,019 per month).
• If your spouse is a disabled refugee, the free amount is the same as the ordinary rate for minimum disability benefit (NOK 23,565 per month).

The following are considered income:

• wages
• retirement pension from National Insurance
• pensions and income from other countries
• other Norwegian public sector or private pensions
• introductory benefit for newly arrived immigrants, qualification benefit, cash-for-care benefit and spousal support according to the Marriage Act
• carer's allowance
• capital income, e.g. interest

The rates apply before tax is deducted from the money. The benefit is taxable. You can contact the Tax Administration to find out how much tax you will pay.

You can receive benefits for 12 months at a time, and you must re-apply every year.

When you receive supplementary benefit as a disabled refugee, you are entitled to a concessionary card (in Norwegian). The card gives you a discount on public transportation.

You get the card from NAV without having to ask for it. You will not lose the right to the concessionary card if you have income in addition to the benefit.

You must meet at the NAV office in person when you apply. You must also meet in person when you apply for benefit for a new period, or for follow-up meetings.

You can receive benefits for 12 months at a time. You can receive back payment for up to 3 months before you applied.

Apply for a new period

When the benefit period approaches the end, you must re-apply. You will receive a letter informing when you should re-apply, and which documents you must bring with you.

You must attend a follow-up meeting twice during each benefit period. If you do not contact NAV or do not attend scheduled appointments, your benefits will stop.

You will receive a letter from NAV when you need to attend a follow-up meeting and when you need to apply for a new benefit period. It can be a good idea to book an appointment. You can call NAV contact centre for pensions on 55 55 33 34 to get help arranging an appointment. 

It is important to inform NAV if you cannot attend the meeting. 

NAV can arrange an interpreter

You have the right to have an interpreter present in meetings with NAV if you cannot understand what is being said. NAV will arrange an interpreter. 

In principle, you must attend the NAV office in person when you receive supplementary benefit.

You will receive a letter from NAV with a written decision when your application has been processed.

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.

You must attend a follow-up meeting twice during each benefit period. You will receive a letter from NAV informing you of the date and time, and which documents you must bring with you. If you do not contact NAV or do not attend scheduled appointments, your benefits will stop.

In your payment overview, you can see upcoming payments several days before the actual payment date. 

The time of day when the payment will be credited to your account will vary, as it is your bank that transfers the payment into your account. Payments can therefore arrive in your account in the afternoon or evening. 

Holiday pay

There is no holiday pay on this benefit. 

Tax

Tax is deducted from the money.

Tax is deducted at the ordinary rate in June. No tax will be deducted in December, except for withholding tax or Svalbard tax.

More about tax deductions on payments from NAV

If your situation changes, this can lead to adjustments being made to the benefit you receive from NAV. You must notify NAV of any changes in your

• income
• family situation
• work situation
• or if you are planning to spend some time abroad

You must always inform NAV before you travel abroad, and when you return.

If you are abroad for more than 90 in total during a benefit period, the payments of supplementary benefit will stop.

You should keep your travel documents from your outbound and inbound travels to Norway, for example boarding cards or tickets. You must give these to NAV when you return to Norway or in connection with a follow-up meeting.

If you stay in an institution or prison, you will receive the benefit up to the end of the month you were admitted, as well as the following month.

The term ‘Institutional stays’ means stays at nursing and care homes, hospitals and rehabilitation institutions.

If you normally receive letters from NAV digitally, and would prefer to receive them by regular post, you can opt out of digital communication.

Read more about how to opt out of digital communication (norge.no).