Svangerskapspenger – inability to work due to pregnancy

Svangerskapspenger – Pregnancy benefit

Healthy pregnant women who cannot continue working during their pregnancy because it may put their baby at risk can receive pregnancy benefit. Women entitled to this benefit often receive sickness benefits, which is wrong and less beneficial for the mother, because sickness benefits can be used later, after the birth of the child.

The employer must adapt the assigned tasks to the capabilities of the pregnant woman. If the type of work performed so far may harm the child, you should consider whether you can delegate the employee to another job or department. If this is not possible, the benefit is intended to maintain the current income. 

1. Award criteria

1.1 Requirements

To be entitled to the benefit you must have: 

• work that poses a risk to the unborn child
• annual income of at least NOK 55
• working at least 4 weeks in Norway before applying

1.2 Types of threats 

Examples of work situations that may pose a risk:

• working with chemicals
• physically demanding job
• working under high stress pressure
• psychosocial conditions

These are places where:

• solvents are used and there is exposure to ionizing radiation
• Laboratory work requiring contact with chemical and biological factors is performed
• agriculture and horticulture, due to pesticides and other chemical agents
• there is particle contamination and welding work
• there is a lot of noise or a lot of vibration
• heavy physical work and standing work are performed for most of the working day
• there is a risk of infection
• there is a night shift

Many professions have regulated rules about when working in certain conditions may be dangerous. 

1.3 Example

Stewardess

According to the Civil Aviation Act, stewardesses can fly until the 26th week of pregnancy. The employer is then obliged to delegate the pregnant woman to other tasks. If this is not possible and the pregnant woman does not want to continue flying for fear of her child, she has the full right to apply for benefits. If there are grounds for this, it may also be done before the 26th week of pregnancy under the Act. 

2.Amount of benefit

The amount of the benefit depends on the type of employment.

2.1 Employee or freelancer   

The benefit is usually calculated based on your average income over the last 3 calendar months before you receive the benefit. This applies to both permanently employed people and people with different periods of work or income. However, if there is a difference of more than 25% between your annual income and your income over the last 3 months, consideration is given to which income is most representative in your situation.

2.3 Running a business 

It is usually calculated based on average income for the last 3 completed years. If your business or job situation has changed permanently, you can use the income you earned when you started receiving benefits.

Income above six times the basic amount is not included in the calculations.

3. Length of the benefit 

You can receive the benefit from the moment you stop working until 3 weeks before your due date. 

The benefit may be paid up to 3 months back. 

The benefit is paid until the 25th day of the month

4. Working and receiving benefits at the same time

If part-time work is available, you can work part-time and receive part-time benefits. Thus, the benefit is reduced by the number of parts of the full-time job taken up. E.g. We work 50% of the time and receive 50% of the benefit rate.

5. Required documentation/application submission

The application is submitted in two stages: 

Step 1: Download the form "Skjema for tilrettelegging og omplassering ved graviditet", and then :

1. During your check-up or doctor visit, your midwife or doctor completes Part 1   
2. Take the form with you to your employer who completes part 2
3. Then take a photo of the form or scan it

Step 2: Send us the necessary documentation to submit your application: 

1. Completed form (from step 1) – parts 1 and 2.
2. Pregnancy documentation - a pregnancy card is mandatory; if there are additional documents related to pregnancy that may affect our application, they should also be attached. If the pregnancy takes place outside Norway, the documents must be translated into Norwegian or English.
3. Pay slips (all) for the current tax year.
4. Lønns- og trekkoppgave – for the previous tax year (if any).
5. Registration of residence in Norway or residence permit (registreringsbevis/oppholdstillatelse).

6. 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.