Housing benefit
Description
You may apply for housing benefit if your household has low income and high living expenses. Specific requirements are made regarding the household and the residence. The scheme is means tested.
Criteria/conditions
Requirements concerning the household:
The household has a low income and high living expenses. Students and military personnel are not included in the scheme. Students who have their own child/children or who participate in a qualifying programme or a rehabilitation scheme may nevertheless receive housing benefit.
Requirements concerning the residence:
- The residence must be approved for year-round occupation
- It must be an independent residence with its own entrance
- The residence must have its own bath and toilet, and it must provide an opportunity for rest and for food preparation.
In special circumstances, an exception may be made for rented property made available by the municipality organised as a communal residence or the like.
Cooperating authorities
Housing benefit is a state support scheme which is administered by the State Housing Bank and the municipality.
Brochures, documents, maps, etc.
Administrative procedure
Guidelines – applying for, or receiving the service
An application for housing benefit must be made using the form available from the municipality or the internet (see link below).
Deadline for receiving applications
Applications should be made by the 14th of the month. Payments are made on the 10th of the following month. The situation on the first of the month is decisive fro calculating housing benefit.
Administrative procedure
The municipality receives and registers the application and will have on-going contact with you. Information is obtained from a number of public registers such as the Population Registry, the tax authorities and the Norwegian labour and welfare administration. The State Housing Bank makes the formal decision regarding housing benefit.
You do not need to re-apply each month once you have been granted benefits, but you must notify the authorities if changes occur that have a bearing on the benefits. If you move house, you must re-apply and supply new information.
Administration time
A written reply is sent each month.
Possibilities to appeal; procedure
If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may appeal to the municipal housing support office within three weeks of having been informed of the decision. Explain why you are not satisfied and what you feel should be changed. If you need advice, you may ask the municipality. Remember to state you name, address, date of birth and Norwegian identity number, and municipality of residence. The appeal must be signed. All appeals are considered by the State Housing Bank's regional office. This may take up to three months.
Dato opprettet
17.04.2009 12:46:41
Dato oppdatert
16.05.2011 13:22:47
