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Childcare benefit for single mothers or fathers

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 →

NAV can cover part of the expenses for kindergarten, after-school care or a childminder when you are alone with the child and in work. Rules change for new cases from 1 July 2026.

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 21 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

Childcare benefit covers part of the expenses for kindergarten, after-school care (SFO) or a childminder for single parents who work.

Important: two sets of rules from 1 July 2026

NAV states that benefits for single mothers or fathers are changing. The new rules apply to new cases from 1 July 2026. According to NAV, those already receiving benefits keep the old rules until 30 June 2031. What applies to you depends on your situation. Read NAV's site, and ask NAV if you are unsure.

NAV also states that you are not entitled to additional allowances (such as school fees and education or job-seeking expenses) if you are entitled to transitional benefit under the new rules. You can still get them under the old rules or the transitional rules. See Transitional benefit.

Who can get the benefit?

According to NAV, you must, among other things:

be a single mother or father with at least 60 percent of the daily care alone,
be working, about to start your own business, or have a short-term illness,
live in Norway together with the child,
meet conditions for membership of the National Insurance Scheme.

What is covered?

The benefit covers a share of the documented childcare expenses, up to a cap. NAV states that it covers 64 percent, and that you pay the rest yourself. Food and diapers are not covered. The caps and income limit are stated on NAV's site and are adjusted.

How to apply

You apply digitally or on paper. Have an invoice from the kindergarten, after-school care or childminder in your name ready, and proof of employment. NAV stated on 21 September 2026 a processing time of around six weeks.

If you are refused

You can complain to the NAV unit that made the decision and then to NAV's appeals unit. The deadlines are stated in the decision. Read Complain about a NAV decision.

NAV. Childcare benefit for single mothers or fathers (Norwegian) →

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.