March 2024 is the last month with higher rates for housing allowance and additional payments for high electricity costs. From April onwards, housing allowance will be calculated based on normal rates.
The temporarily increased rates result in higher income limits and a lower deductible. This means that more people receive housing allowance and that many receive more housing allowance than they would otherwise receive, in the period with higher rates. In the winter months, extra payments are given as support for high electricity costs.
If you are paid housing allowance for January, February or March, you will also receive NOK 1,000 in support for electricity, and NOK 150 extra for each person you live with.
The additional support is independent of the actual expenses you have for electricity.
The electricity allowance is paid in arrears, together with the housing allowance. This means that the electricity subsidy is paid out in February, March and April. After this, no electricity subsidy will be paid.
From April, the housing allowance will be calculated at normal rates again. This means that the income limits will be lower and the deductible higher. Many will therefore experience receiving less housing allowance or losing housing allowance entirely for April. Decision and possible payment of housing allowance for April will come on 16 May 2024.
On this page you can find the upper income limits that apply from April.
You can get a calculation of how much housing benefit you can get in the housing benefit calculator.