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Respite care and care allowance

Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →

If you have a heavy caring responsibility for a child or an adult, the municipality can provide respite care, and in some cases a care allowance. How to apply.

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 22 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

Having a heavy caring responsibility, for example for a child with extensive needs, can take a toll on your health. The municipality has services meant to give you breathing room. If the child has a serious illness or disability, you may also be entitled to a dedicated child coordinator who helps coordinate all of this for you.

Respite care

Respite care (avlastning) is a service for individuals and families who provide care for a person with demanding needs. Among other things, the aim is to prevent exhaustion, give you leisure time and holidays, and make it possible to take part in society.

Respite care is free.
It can be given, for example, as help in the home, a day programme, or a stay outside the home, such as at an institution or with another family.
It is based on need. According to Helsenorge, you may have a need if you spend many hours a month caring, the care is physically or mentally demanding, or your sleep is disrupted.

Care allowance

Care allowance (omsorgslønn, which some municipalities call omsorgsstønad) is a financial benefit from the municipality for you who have a particularly demanding caring job, for example for a child with extensive support needs, or a relative who is seriously ill. It is the weight and scope of the caring work that decides, not the age or diagnosis of the person you care for.

Among other things, the municipality takes into account:

how many hours a month the caring work takes,
whether it is more physically or mentally demanding than ordinary care for someone of the same age,
whether it involves a lot of night work or disrupted sleep,
whether it leads to social isolation and less leisure time for you as the carer.

There is no fixed rate. The municipality sets the amount individually, and rates vary between municipalities. The municipality may also choose to offer other services, such as respite care, instead of or in addition to a care allowance.

How to apply

Contact the municipality where you live. In most municipalities it is the allocation office (tildelingskontoret) (may also be called the coordinating unit or similar) that processes applications for health and care services. Search for "[municipality name] tildelingskontor" or "helse og omsorg" on the municipality's website to find the right contact point and any application form.

In the application you should describe:

what help needs the person you care for has,
what caring tasks you perform, and how often,
how the caring work affects you, for example sleep, work and leisure time.

By law you have the right to have your application processed and to receive a written decision, showing which services you get, how much, and how they are organised. The municipality cannot refuse to make a decision just because it believes it does not have a suitable offer.

If you disagree

You can complain to the municipality. If you are not granted it, the case goes to the County Governor (Statsforvalteren). The Patient and User Ombudsman (Pasient- og brukerombudet) gives free advice on rights and procedure.

Tip: Write down what the care actually involves in a typical week, including nights and follow-up. This gives the municipality a better basis, and you get a better decision.

Sources

Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.

This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.