Worry about money keeps many people in a dangerous home. In Norway there is help to live on while you get back on your feet, even if you have no income of your own right now.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each service was checked against its own website on 6 November 2026. Rules change: read what the service itself says before you decide.
Who can help
Financial assistance from Nav (økonomisk sosialhjelp)
Temporary money from Nav for basic living costs, such as food, rent and electricity, when you cannot support yourself.
Who it is for Anyone can apply and have their need assessed. If you are married to someone who does not support you, e.g. you are at a crisis centre or in hiding, Nav can look at your own finances.
First step Apply online with Nav's application form, or contact the Nav office in the municipality where you live or are staying.
Emergency help from Nav (nødhjelp)
Short-term help from Nav with bare essentials, such as food, travel and bills you must pay so that electricity is not cut off.
Who it is for For people in an emergency who need help with bare essentials for a short time. It is part of financial assistance (sosialhjelp).
First step Use the financial assistance application and write that you need emergency help, or contact the Nav office in the municipality where you live or are staying.
Financial advice and debt counselling from Nav
Free advice from Nav if you have money problems or debt. The page also explains what to do if someone has used your identity to take out loans.
Who it is for For anyone with financial problems. Nav says you should seek help as early as possible.
First step Contact your Nav office to book a meeting with a debt adviser. If someone took out loans in your name, contact the bank or lender straight away.
Advance on child support from Nav (bidragsforskudd)
Money from Nav, based on your income, that can be paid if child support (barnebidrag) from the other parent is not paid.
Who it is for Parents whose child under 18 lives permanently with them, when the other parent should pay child support collected by Skatteetaten. Your income matters.
First step Apply online or on paper. If you have no child support agreement, Nav opens a case to set the amount.
Good to know What you send in a child support case is passed on to the other parent. Leave out anything that shows where you live.
Extended child benefit (utvidet barnetrygd)
An extra monthly payment on top of ordinary child benefit (barnetrygd) when you live alone with a child under 18.
Who it is for If you live alone with a child and are unmarried, separated or divorced, and not living with the other parent. Ex-cohabitants with a child under 16 need a meklingsattest.
First step You must apply. Use Nav's online application for extended child benefit; it tells you which documents to add.
Housing allowance from Husbanken (bostøtte)
A monthly grant from the state for people with low income and high housing costs. The amount depends on your household's income and housing costs.
Who it is for People over 18 (or under 18 with children) whose household income is below the limit, living in an approved home with its own entrance, bathroom and kitchen.
First step Check the housing allowance calculator, then apply online with electronic ID. If you need help, contact your municipality.
Transitional benefit for single parents (overgangsstønad)
Money from Nav for a limited period to secure your income when you have at least 60% of the daily care of a child.
Who it is for Single parents who are unmarried, separated, divorced or have applied for separation. If you never had single-parent benefits, from 1 July 2026 the youngest child must usually be under 14 months.
First step Apply online or on paper through Nav. Nav will check which set of rules applies to you.
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Other topics
- A safe place to live in NorwaySomewhere safe to stay when you leave violence in Norway: crisis centres for women, men and children, temporary housing from Nav, and help with the rent.
- Free legal help in NorwayFree or low-cost legal help in Norway when you live with violence: free legal aid, a victim's lawyer, and the student-run legal clinics JURK, Jussbuss, Jussformidlingen and Jusshjelpa.
- The police and protection in NorwayReporting violence in Norway, restraining orders, a personal alarm, a protected address, the Support Centre for Victims of Crime and compensation for victims of violence.
- Children, custody and contact in NorwayHelp for children and parents after violence in Norway: family counselling offices and mediation, Statens barnehus, child welfare services and supervised contact.
- Your residence permit if you leave in NorwayIf your residence permit in Norway depends on your partner: the UDI rule for people who have been abused, crisis centres for everyone, and your right to an interpreter.
- Health care and help after sexual assault in NorwayHealth care after violence in Norway: the out-of-hours medical centre, sexual assault centres, your GP, and support centres for people who have been sexually abused.
- Help for particular groups in NorwayHelp in Norway for men, LGBTQ+ people, older people, disabled people, Sámi people and people facing forced marriage or negative social control.