Work Assessment Allowance (AAP) is NAV's benefit when illness or injury has reduced your work capacity by at least 50% and you need treatment or work-oriented assistance. You receive 66% of previous income, must have been a member of the National Insurance for 5 years, and can receive AAP for up to 3 years — with possible extension. This guide shows the legal basis, rates, activity obligation, application process and immigrant-relevant rules for 2026.
Legal basis: National Insurance Act Chapter 11
AAP regulated by National Insurance Act Chapter 11 (§§ 11-1 to 11-31):
- § 11-2 — National Insurance membership
- § 11-4 — age (18–67)
- § 11-5 — reduced work capacity 50%+
- § 11-6 — need for treatment/measures
- § 11-8 — cooperation obligation
- § 11-9 — meldekort (report card) every 14 days
- § 11-12 ff. — benefit calculation
- § 11-17 — child supplement
- § 11-25 — maximum duration
What is AAP – and where does it fit?
AAP is between sick pay and disability pension. When you get sick you first get sick pay for up to one year. If not fit for work after that but too early to say you'll never return, AAP is money to live on while being assessed.
Aim is help you back to work. So you receive money while doing treatment, measures, education or work training.
AAP is not the same as unemployment benefit — see unemployment after termination. New in country: see NAV for immigrants and social assistance.
Who is entitled?
All conditions:
- Age: 18–67. Right ends month you turn 67.
- Reduced work capacity: illness/injury reducing capacity at least 50%.
- Need assistance: active treatment, work measures.
- Membership: at least 5 years continuously right before application.
5-year requirement for immigrants
Until 2021 it was 3 years; raised to 5 years from 1 January 2021.
- EEA nationals: insurance time from other EEA countries counts under EEA Regulation 883/2004
- Working when got ill: may give right with shorter residency
- Refugees: special rules under § 11-2 second paragraph
- Under 26 and young disabled: no 5-year need
Rates 2026
AAP = 66% of basis. Basis is income year before capacity reduced, or average of last three years if higher. Income over 6G doesn't count.
Basic amount G (2026): NOK 136,549 — so 6G = NOK 819,294.
Minimum rates
| Situation | Minimum AAP/year (2026) |
|---|---|
| 25+ | NOK 278,697 (2.041 G) |
| Got ill before 25 | NOK 185,798 |
Child supplement 2026
- NOK 38 per child per day, 5 days/week
- ~NOK 9,900/year per child
- Means-tested
- Documentation required
Tax and pension accrual
- AAP taxable as salary
- Paid for 5 days/week
- Old-age pension accrues
- No holiday pay on AAP
- No National Insurance contribution deducted
Working alongside
Up to 60% of full working time normally. AAP reduced proportionally. Point is trying work without losing benefit at once.
Example: NOK 300,000/year AAP + starts 40% work — AAP reduced to ~NOK 180,000 but total (AAP + salary) higher.
Duration
- Main rule: up to 3 years
- Extension: up to 2 more years if near work
- Special cases: longer exceptionally
- Karensår (52-week waiting) abolished 1 July 2022 — can apply again immediately
Activity obligation
Activity plan
With NAV creates plan covering treatment, work measures, education, job search.
Common measures
- Work-preparation measures (AFT)
- Clarification — 4–12 weeks assessment
- Follow-up — job coach
- Work training — placement
- Wage subsidy — employer gets part of wage 6–12 mo
- Education — upper secondary, trade certificate — see trade certificate as adult
- Adapted work (VTA)
Meldekort every 14 days
Confirms right, reports hours worked, holidays. Must be sent by Tuesday after period.
Late meldekort = reduced or stopped payment. Notifications via Digipost/eBoks or SMS.
Sanctions for breaches
- Meldekort not sent: payment stops
- Missing meetings: may lose right
- Not completing measures: warning, then loss
- False information: repayment + possible fraud report
How to apply
Step 1: Medical certificate
Visit GP for medical assessment.
Step 2: Digital application
- Log in at nav.no with BankID or MinID
- «Application for work assessment allowance»
- Attach:
- Medical certificate
- CV and work history
- Income documentation
- Children documentation
Step 3: NAV appointment
NAV invites to needs/work capacity assessment.
Step 4: Decision
To Digipost/eBoks within 4–8 weeks:
- Approved: first payment 2–4 weeks later
- Rejected: 6-week appeal
- Retroactive to application date
Step 5: Payment
- Monthly to Norwegian bank account — open account
- Around 20th monthly
- Meldekort every 14 days
Appeal
To NAV
- Written appeal within 6 weeks
- NAV local office first
- Then NAV Complaints Body
- Then Social Security Court
Free legal aid
Legal Aid Act § 11 provides free aid for social security cases below income limits. See rule of law.
AAP, sick pay or disability — differences
| Benefit | When | Rate | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sick pay | First year sick | 100% of salary up to 6G | 12 months |
| AAP | Under assessment | 66% of basis | Up to 3 years (+2) |
| Disability pension | Permanently reduced | 66% of basis | Until 67 |
Special for immigrants and refugees
Introduction programme
Participants receive introduction allowance — combined with AAP in some cases.
Ukrainian refugees
Collective protection (§ 34) can give right through special rules.
Insurance time from EEA countries
EEA Regulation 883/2004 — insurance time from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany etc. counts. Submit E-104 or U1.
Language support
NAV offers interpreter. Material in English, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Somali, Tigrinya etc.
Common questions
Travel abroad on AAP?
Limited — normally up to 4 weeks/year in EEA/UK. Outside EEA: prior NAV approval.
AAP as student?
Students normally not entitled — use Lånekassen. Exception if got ill while student.
AAP again after max?
Yes — karensår abolished 2022. New application possible.
What at transition to disability?
Summary
AAP regulated by National Insurance Act Chapter 11 and given when work capacity at least 50% reduced. Rate 66% of basis (income up to 6G = NOK 819,294 in 2026), minimum NOK 278,697/year for 25+ and NOK 185,798 for young under 25. Child supplement NOK 38/child/day. Duration up to 3 years + 2 extension; karensår abolished 2022. Required 5-year National Insurance membership — but EEA Regulation 883/2004 credits insurance time from other EEA countries. Activity obligation with plan, meldekort every 14 days, participation in measures. Application via nav.no with medical certificate and BankID. Appeal within 6 weeks to NAV Complaints Body, then Social Security Court. Can work up to 60% alongside. Permanent reduction: transition to disability pension. Ukrainians with collective protection and refugees have special rules. Check updated rates at nav.no — basic amount G adjusted 1 May yearly.
