Your rights
NAV covers the cost of a companion for people with congenital deafblindness
Expenses for a companion/practical assistance when participating in adaptation courses for the deafblind are covered by the National Insurance Scheme.
In 2020, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) concluded that the National Insurance Scheme covers extra expenses for companions for people with congenital deafblindness during participation in adaptation courses for deafblind people.
People with congenital deafblindness are rarely able to use an interpreter from the NAV Interpretation Service. As a rule, this user group is followed up by staff in housing and/or day centres. This staff should accompany the participant on adaptation courses. This entails extra costs for the municipality. It has now been clarified that NAV will cover these escort costs.
How is this done?
Eikholt will agree with the municipality/organisation where the user lives or receives his/her day care to pay for extra expenses for companions and practical assistance beyond what is the responsibility of the municipality/organisation. Eikholt can charge for the expenses of the companion and include them on a specified invoice to NAV after the course has been completed.
If you have any questions. Please contact social worker Victoria Falen by email: victoria.falen@eikholt.no
When carers participate in adaptation courses as Companions
When relatives participate as companions, they are not entitled to sickness benefit. They must then apply for reimbursement for lost income after the course.
This is done via a form: 10.07.16 Travel expenses in connection with the need for a prosthesis, orthosis, special shoes, footbed, breast prosthesis, facial defect prosthesis, eye prosthesis, wig, adaptation course, folk high school or basic pattern.
Link to application form:
Application for reimbursement of travel expenses
Necessary documentation:
The need for a companion:
In order to be reimbursed for lost income, a therapist must document that it is necessary for the user to bring a companion. This can be documented by the user's GP. Coverage in connection with a companion can be granted, but the therapist must document that the companion is necessary, section 10-7
Lost labour income:
Documentation must also be submitted showing how much money the companion has lost by being away from work. This can be a payslip showing deductions in salary.
Green card
The green card gives the user one free companion on public transport, not flights. It also gives the user a loyalty discount. It is issued by the regional centres and the person must be identified as deafblind.
https://www.dovblindhet.no/groent-kort.486123.no.html
Reimbursement of travel expenses for course participants
When course participants come to Eikholt for an adaptation course, they are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses. It is important to remember that NAV will reimburse the cheapest mode of travel.
Exceptions:
NAV covers the cheapest mode of transport, but there are some exceptions. You are entitled to reimbursement for transport other than the cheapest scheduled transport if:
- your disability makes it necessary
- communication conditions make it necessary, for example if there is no public transport on the route
- the total cost of using other transport is not higher than the cost of using public transport
The user must attach documentation of why it was necessary to undertake a more expensive journey in the application. A link to the application form can be found further down, and here you will find more information about the required documentation.
When the user is not able to organise the trip themselves:
If the user is unable to travel by taxi, boat or plane, NAV Labour and Benefits can issue a requisition. In that case, the user must contact NAV well in advance of travelling. Telephone:55 55 33 33
When users call NAV:
The user can choose option 1, 2 or 3, but will receive help regardless of which key they press.
A case officer at NAV will receive the request for a requisition and submit it to NAV Labour and Benefits. NAV Labour and Benefits will then contact the user for more information and clarification. It is important that the user says something about how NAV can contact/communicate with them in the best possible way.
Read more on NAV's website:
https://www.nav.no/reiseutgifter
Application form for reimbursement:
Do you have any questions?
Get in touch with your counsellor and social worker victoria.falen@eikholt.no