Becikowe – one-off child benefit (engangsstønad)

Engangsstønad – one-time benefit (baby allowance)

A one-off allowance for the birth of a child or adoption, which you can receive if you had no income or if the income you earned entitles you to very low parental benefit benefits (foreldrepenger).

1. Award criteria

1.1. Requirements

Requirements that must be met to receive benefits is to be a member of the Norwegian social security system at the time of birth or adoption.

However, please note that in the case of adoption, you are not entitled to assistance if:

• this is the adoption of the spouse's child
• the adopted child is over 15 years old

Receiving a one-off benefit prevents you from receiving parental benefit later.

1.2 Who is a member of the Norwegian social security system? 

While working, we pay contributions for 1 month, so after this period of work in Norway, we are entitled to benefits because we become a member of the Norwegian social security system. 

We can also become a member of the Norwegian social security system through the family reunification process.

1.3. Who can receive engangsstønad?

Normally, the baby benefit is due to the mother, but in some cases the benefit may also be received by the father or the so-called "fellow mother".

Who is a co-mother?

This is a person who has the legal status of the child's spouse/partner but is not the biological mother and shares status with the child's biological mother. This will be, for example, the mother's partner in a homosexual relationship. However, it should be remembered that if he has a mother and a co-mother, he cannot have a father in the legal sense, because the co-mother replaces the father in such a case. The term has been used in Norway since 2009. The term co-mother is also used in the case of a relationship between two men. 

When can the father or co-mother receive a baby shower: 

• in the case of independent adoption
• when the mother loses parental rights or dies and the father or co-mother becomes the sole legal guardian
• if, within 56 weeks after birth or adoption, you take over the care of the child with the intention of assuming sole parental responsibility

1.4 Engangsstønad as soon as the father works in Norway

Unfortunately, the benefit is not available to mothers who stay in Poland while their partners/husbands work in Norway. It is worth noting, however, that in this case you can apply for other parental benefits.

2. Amount of benefit 

The one-off amount is 92 648 NOK

The allowance is tax-free. 

3. When should I submit my application?

• The mother can apply for a one-off benefit at the earliest in the 22nd week of pregnancy
• The father or co-mother can submit an application at the earliest when the deadline for establishing parental responsibility or transfer of custody is due
• When adopting, the earliest you can submit an application is when you know the date of transfer of custody

NOTE → The application must be submitted no later than 6 months after the birth or adoption of the child, otherwise you lose the right to a one-off benefit.

4. Death of a child, and engangsstønad

If the baby is stillborn or dies after birth after the 22nd week of pregnancy, the mother is still entitled to benefits.

5. Waiting period for decisions

Case processing time is usually approximately 6 weeks. The benefit is usually paid one week after the application is processed.

6. Required documentation

• registreringsbevis (residence registration) or oppholdstillatelse (residence permit)
• when the baby has not yet been born: Pregnancy card (translated into Norwegian or English if the pregnancy takes place outside Norway)
• after birth: child's birth or adoption certificate (translated into Norwegian or English if the child was born outside Norway)

7. What does the service include?

The service includes:

• sending the application to NAV 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 NAV in Norway. The service only covers mediation between you and the office.