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Customisation courses for people with deafblindness
Reimbursement of travel expenses
Companion expenses for people with deafblindness living in care homes
When relatives participate in adaptation courses as companions
Training allowance for participation in NAV adaptation courses
Customisation courses for people with deafblindness
Adaptation courses for people with deafblindness are an important resource for strengthening their ability to cope in daily life and working life. In Norway, people with deafblindness are entitled to such courses under the National Insurance Act, section 10-7. The right may also include close contacts/relatives.
The courses can be given both as group and individual courses, and they can be held at Eikholt, which has national responsibility for customisation courses, at the user's home, or at the place of work or study.
Reimbursement of travel expenses for course participants
When course participants come to Eikholt on NAV adaptation courses, 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.
Requisition for travel
If you, as a course participant, are unable to travel, NAV Labour and Benefits can issue a requisition. In that case, you must contact NAV in good time before travelling. Telephone:55 55 33 33
Read more about travel expenses on NAV's website:
https://www.nav.no/reiseutgifter
Application form for reimbursement:
You can read more about NAV adaptation courses on NAV's website:
Companion expenses for people with deafblindness living in care homes
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 deafblindness, who live in care homes, 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. These companion costs are covered by NAV.
How is this done?
Eikholt agrees with the municipality/organisation where the course participant lives or receives his/her day programme to pay for extra expenses for a companion and practical assistance, beyond what is the responsibility of the municipality/organisation. Eikholt covers expenses for the companion and is reimbursed by NAV after completion of the course.
When relatives 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
Required documentation
Need for companion:
In order to be reimbursed for lost income, a therapist must document that it is necessary for you to bring a companion. This can be documented by your GP. Coverage in connection with a companion can be granted, but the therapist must document that the companion is necessary, cf. section 10-7 of the National Insurance Act.
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.
Training allowance for participation in NAV adaptation courses
You can receive training allowance if you have to be away from work in connection with NAV adaptation courses. This applies to those who need training to care for a person with a disability or long-term illness.
The right to training allowance requires:
- That the training is necessary. This must be documented by a doctor.
- You must have an annual income of at least NOK 65,080.
- Your working hours or income have been reduced by at least 20%.
- You are under 70 years of age
- In principle, you must have worked for at least four weeks prior to the start of the training programme in order to receive training allowance. There are several exceptions. Sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, parental and pregnancy benefit, nursing, training and care allowance as well as unpaid leave may also entitle you to this benefit.
- That you are a member of the National Insurance Scheme
Who can receive training money
- Parents, stepparents and foster parents
- Other close carers who have a clear role in the care of the child
Read more about training allowance on Nav's website:
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.
You can read more about this on the website of the National Advisory Service on Deafblindness: Green card
Do you have questions about rights?
Get in touch with your counsellor and social worker victoria.falen@eikholt.no