Bostøtte – housing benefit

Bostøtte – housing benefit

Housing Benefit is a state support program for people on low incomes and high housing costs.

Who can get benefits?

Housing Benefit is a state support program calculated monthly based on your income and housing expenses.

You are not entitled to Housing Benefit if your household income exceeds the upper income limit. This applies to everyone, no matter how high your living expenses are.

The upper limit of gross monthly income depends on the following factors:

• The commune you live in - the more expensive it is, the higher the upper limit
• Number of people in the household - the more, the higher the upper limit
• Do disabled minors live on the farm? (if yes, the upper limit is higher)
• Do single retirees live on the farm? (if yes, the upper limit is higher)

Conditions to be met:

• Have a sufficiently low household income (read in the next section)
• Be over 18 years of age or under and have a child
• Place of residence must meet the conditions:
  • Own separate entrance
  • Own toilet and bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Possibility to rest
• You must be registered in Norway along with your household members (you must report your move to Norway)

What is the upper earnings limit?

Earnings for your household are calculated from all people who earn money. We always calculate the gross amount of earnings. Earnings consist of:

• earnings from work paid in a given month (gross amount)
• earnings from benefits that are taxable
• company profits on average for the whole year
• earnings from abroad on average for the whole year
• earnings from tax-free rental

However, various other non-taxable benefits and other social assistance are not included in earnings.

Examples of upper limits can be found in the table below. They are for different municipalities and the number of people per household. If you meet the conditions, we will check and apply on your behalf after ordering the service.

How much can I get?

How much support you get depends on many of the factors mentioned earlier. Also on your earnings, housing expenses, number of people on the household, etc. Examples of monthly support amounts for a rented apartment:

• Oslo 4 people, 15 kr earnings, 000 kr housing expenses including fees: 4 kr/month of support
• Oslo 1 person, 12 kr earnings, 000 kr housing expenses including fees: 2 kr/month of support
• Stavanger 2 people, 18 kr earnings, 000 kr housing expenses including fees: 4 kr/month of support

Our support calculation is free of charge.

What does the service include?

The service includes:

• sending the application along with the necessary documentation (if sent by post, we are not responsible for shipping),
• attaching additional documentation (up to 2 times), subsequent sending of documents/messages regarding the case are subject to a fee.

WARNING: The decision to grant the benefit rests with Husbanken in Norway. The service only covers mediation between you and the office.

Required documents

If applicable:

• certificate of school attendance
• documentation confirming receipt of a pension,
• fixed housing costs - documented on bank statements,
• lease agreement,
• a copy of the last paid rent,
• single-family house - documentation of real estate tax and registration fee
• mortgage loan - a copy of the loan repayment plan or a copy of the loan agreement, paid loan costs (interest/installments).