Basic support and care allowance (grunnstønad and hjelpestønad) are two benefits from NAV. You can receive them when a chronic illness gives you extra costs, or when you need care and supervision at home. The money is tax-free, and you must apply yourself.
What is the difference between grunnstønad and hjelpestønad?
Grunnstønad (basic support) covers extra costs caused by chronic illness. Hjelpestønad (care allowance) covers the need for private care and supervision. You can receive both at the same time.
Both benefits come from folketrygden, the Norwegian social insurance system. NAV (Arbeids- og velferdsetaten) processes the application. The rules are in the National Insurance Act § 6-3 for grunnstønad and § 6-4 for hjelpestønad.
These are rights you are entitled to, not charity. NAV does not test your income. Neither § 6-3 nor § 6-4 has any income rule. The test is the cost or care need—not what you or your spouse earn.
Do not confuse hjelpestønad with omsorgsstønad. Omsorgsstønad comes from the municipality and is taxable. Hjelpestønad comes from the state and is tax-free. See the difference in the article about omsorgsstønad and home care from the municipality, and see the full picture in the overview of rights for persons with disabilities in Norway.
Grunnstønad rates 2026
Grunnstønad has six rates. The lowest is 752 kr per month (9 024 kr per year). The highest is 3 744 kr per month (44 928 kr per year).
| Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Rate 1 | 752 kr | 9 024 kr |
| Rate 2 | 1 146 kr | 13 752 kr |
| Rate 3 | 1 502 kr | 18 024 kr |
| Rate 4 | 2 212 kr | 26 544 kr |
| Rate 5 | 2 997 kr | 35 964 kr |
| Rate 6 | 3 744 kr | 44 928 kr |
NAV states it this way: the rates apply from 1 January 2024 and are unchanged in 2025 and 2026.
Why do the figures stand still? Because Stortinget (Norwegian Parliament) sets the rates for grunnstønad. This is stated in the National Insurance Act § 6-3. The rates therefore do not follow the base amount (1G) in the social insurance system. By comparison, 1G increased by 4,91 per cent on 1 May 2026, to 136 549 kr. Grunnstønad and hjelpestønad increased by 0 kr.
Your extra costs must be at least rate 1, which is 752 kr per month. If they are lower, you receive no benefit. NAV also states that the extra costs must last for 2–3 years or more. This is NAV's own formulation, and NAV assesses each case individually.
What does grunnstønad cover, and what does it not cover?
The list of costs in the National Insurance Act § 6-3 is exhaustive. If your cost is not on the list, you do not receive grunnstønad—no matter how large the cost is.
The list covers:
- operation of technical aids
- transport, including car maintenance (the right must have arisen before you turn 70 years old)
- maintenance of a guide dog
- extra-cost diet when the diet is scientifically documented and medically recognised
- wear and tear on clothes and bed linen
- maintenance of a service dog
Medicines are not on the list. This is why grunnstønad never covers medicines or treatment. Such costs belong in another system: the blue prescription scheme and the patient contribution ceiling (frikort). See how patient contribution ceiling and deductibles in Norway set a cap on what you pay for health services.
NAV also states that milk intolerance, lactose intolerance and non-coeliac/gluten intolerance do not give the right to a benefit.
How much do you receive in grunnstønad for coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease gives grunnstønad according to a fixed table, without you having to document your costs. The amount depends only on your age.
| Age | Rate | Amount per year |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 years | Rate 1 | 9 024 kr |
| 5–30 years | Rate 2 | 13 752 kr |
| 31 years and over | Rate 1 | 9 024 kr |
The table is in NAV's circular R06-00 and has applied from 1 April 2020. The benefit decreases in the month you turn 31 years old. You need no receipts. A diagnosis from a specialist is sufficient.
Several illnesses have such fixed rates, for example cystic fibrosis.
Care allowance rate: who can receive it?
Care allowance (hjelpestønad) is 1 346 kr per month (16 152 kr per year) for adults. The rate applies from 1 January 2024 and is unchanged in 2025 and 2026.
The law states that hjelpestønad is given to a member who, because of chronic illness, injury or disability, needs special supervision and care. The need must last for 2–3 years or more.
One rule stops many: there must be a private care relationship. Someone must actually provide you with care—a spouse, child, other family member or a neighbour. Municipal home nursing does not give the right to hjelpestønad. NAV states that the care relationship as a rule should be in place before you apply.
If you are blind, or see so poorly that you cannot orient yourself by means of sight, the conditions are considered met. This is stated directly in § 6-4.
You do not need a medical certificate when you apply for hjelpestønad. NAV will tell you if they need more.
Increased care allowance for children under 18 years
Children under 18 years can receive increased care allowance. The amount is then 2, 4 or 6 times the normal rate 1.
| Rate | Per month | Per year | Times rate 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 2 | 2 692 kr | 32 304 kr | 2 times |
| Rate 3 | 5 384 kr | 64 608 kr | 4 times |
| Rate 4 | 8 076 kr | 96 912 kr | 6 times |
The child must have a care and supervision need that is significantly greater than what ordinary hjelpestønad covers. The benefit should also increase the chance that the child can live at home.
NAV pays until and including the month the child turns 18 years old. After that, rate 1 can continue if the conditions continue to be met.
Is grunnstønad and hjelpestønad tax-free?
Yes. Both are tax-free. This is stated in the Tax Act § 5-43 first paragraph letter d no. 2: grunnstønad and hjelpestønad under the National Insurance Act chapter 6 are not counted as income. NAV deducts no tax.
The money is also not deducted from other social insurance benefits. If you receive disability pension (uføretrygd), grunnstønad comes in addition to it. Read more in the article about disability pension and rates in 2026. You do not receive holiday pay from hjelpestønad. Social assistance is calculated by the municipality according to its own rules.
Can I receive grunnstønad when I am new in Norway?
Yes. There is no residence requirement for grunnstønad and hjelpestønad. The requirement is that you are a member of the National Insurance Act, or covered by the EEA regulation. This is stated in circular R06-00.
You normally become a member when you live legally in Norway and the stay is to last more than 12 months. Then you can apply immediately, without waiting for years.
Residence time still counts for other things, such as a permanent residence permit. Calculate your own residence time with the residence time and stay calculator on SamfunnPrep.
The other way round: the right falls away if you are no longer a member of the social insurance system. If you move from Norway, the benefit may stop. The EEA rules are complicated. Ask NAV before you move.
Grunnstønad NAV application: how to apply
You apply digitally on nav.no. Apply as soon as possible, because waiting costs you money.
NAV can pay up to three months back in time, calculated from the month you applied. The rule is in the National Insurance Act § 22-13 third paragraph. And § 22-10 third paragraph states that the rule applies to grunnstønad and hjelpestønad in chapter 6. You never get more than three months. Every month you delay your application is a month of money you lose for ever.
- Documentation, grunnstønad: most cost types require receipts for at least 3 months. Fixed rates, such as for coeliac disease, require no receipts.
- Documentation, hjelpestønad: you need no medical certificate when you apply.
- Processing time: 4 months for both benefits, as of 14 July 2026.
- Appeal: the deadline is six weeks (National Insurance Act § 21-12). The appeal goes to NAV Appeals, and further to the National Insurance Court.
Many of these rules about NAV and the National Insurance Act are curriculum for the society knowledge test. You can practice free on SamfunnPrep.
