Information in English -hjemreise

Subsidy scheme for laid off foreign workers in Longyearbyen (from countries outside the EU / EEA)

As a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the severe restrictions imposed, many foreign workers in Longyearbyen have lost their income base due to layoffs. Several of the foreign workers in Longyearbyen are not covered by the usual Norwegian layoff measures. In order to remedy the acute and difficult situation, the government has now come up with its own time-limited subsidy scheme for these workers.

The purpose of the subsidy scheme is to contribute to the subsistence for foreign workers who, in an extraordinary situation, are not entitled to unemployment benefits or other benefits that cover subsistence allowances in accordance with ordinary Norwegian rules.
The subsidy scheme is intended to mitigate the consequences of layoffs as a result of the measures taken to limit the outbreak of covid-19, and is time-limited and shall provide financial security for the laid off and their families for a period before returning to work or leaving Svalbard.

The scheme does not provide a basis for a precedent.

The subsidy scheme applies to persons who meet these requirements:
a) Is laid off from work in the Longyearbyen plan area
b) Is registered in the population registry for Svalbard with a residential address in the Longyearbyen plan area
c) Is not a national of nor has a residence permit in an EU / EEA country
d) Has been subject to Svalbard tax in 2020 through work at the current employer
e) Staying in the Longyearbyen plan area

Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements may also receive subsidies for children under the age of 18 who meet the requirements under subparagraphs (b) and (e), which the applicant is responsible for and who is part of the applicant's household.
Subsidies can be made from the date the employee does not receive salary due to layoffs. The subsidies can be given no earlier than from 19 March 2020.

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security has given the Longyearbyen Local Council the responsibility for handling the subsidy scheme.

The translations are not official versions of the regulations; they are for informational purposes only. If there is no accordance between the Norwegian and English text, then the Norwegian version applies.

Regulation on fixed-term subsistence grants for laid off foreign workers in Longyearbyen 
Legal authority: Determined by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security 31 March 2020 to implement the Parliament’s budget decision.

§ 1 Purpose
The purpose of the grant scheme is to contribute to subsistence grants for foreign workers who are not entitled to unemployment benefits or other benefits that cover subsistence allowances. The grant scheme is intended to alleviate the consequences of layoffs as a result of measures to limit the outbreak of covid-19. The grant scheme is time-limited and shall provide financial security for the laid off and their families before they are back at work or can leave Svalbard.

§ 2 Definitions
For the purposes of this regulation:
family with children:
a. household with at least one child for whom the applicant is responsible
b. caring responsibilities: financial support for children under the age of 18 who live permanently in the household

§ 3 Who can get a grant
Grant for subsistence grants may be granted upon application to employees who:
a. is laid off from work in the Longyearbyen plan area
b. is registered in the population registry for Svalbard with a residential address in the Longyearbyen plan area
c. is not a national of or has a residence permit in an EU/EEA country
d. has been subject to Svalbard tax in 2020 through work at the current employer
e. staying in the Longyearbyen plan area

Applicants who meet the requirements of the first paragraph may also receive subsidies for children under the age of 18 who meet the requirements of the first paragraph, letters b and e, who are applying for care responsibilities and who are part of the applicant's household.

Grants can be given from the date the employee does not earn wages due to layoffs. The grants can be given no earlier than from March 19, 2020.

§ 4 Size of the grant
Those who receive grants are given grants at the following rates:
a. Subsistence grants for adults over the age of 18 with NOK 270 per day.
b. Subsistence grants for children under the age of 18 with NOK 130 per child per day.  
c. Housing grants for families with children with NOK 450 per family per day, but NOK 225 per family if only one of two employees is laid off.
d. Housing grants for a single adult with NOK 270 per day.
e. Housing grants for married couples and cohabitants with NOK 185 per person per day.

The subsistence rates will help cover expenses for basic needs such as food, clothing, communication, household items and hygiene and more. They also take into account other aspects of daily life, such as leisure and social needs.
Housing rates shall be able to cover documented housing costs, including electricity, heating, and other Longyearbyen Local Council fees.

§ 5 Details on the determination of the grant
A grant can be given for a maximum of 20 days, but not after 20 June 2020.

The limitation in the first paragraph does not apply to grants received under $ 3, second paragraph (families with children). These can be get grants for one month at a time, but not after 20 June 2020. It must be documented that the entire family is still in Longyearbyen before the next month's grants can be paid.

If the responsibility for care is shared between two guardians in Longyearbyen, the grant for children will be estimated on the basis of the degree of care responsibility.
Grants should not exceed average wages after tax in the last three months.

Partially laid off workers may in exceptional cases get grants to ensure basic needs in line with the purpose of the grant scheme. Total wages and grants shall not exceed the grant rates above.

§ 6 Requirements for the application
An application for subsistence grants and housing grants is submitted on a fixed form to the Longyearbyen Local Council. The application must state: 

a. employee's name, address, citizenship, marital status, account number and D number
b. any children under the age of 18 for whom a grant is applied
c. the employer's name and the date the applicant was laid off
d. the layoff and work contract that provide the basis for layoff by documenting these
e. identity through a copy of the ID and that the applicant is in Longyearbyen by documenting it
f.  housing expenses by documenting a rental contract, the last payment of rent and the last payment of municipal fees, including electricity and heating
g. salary through copy of the pay checks overt the last three months

Spouses, cohabitants and families with children each submit a single application.

§ 7 Longyearbyen Local Council’s access to control the information
Longyearbyen Local Council can verify that the eligibility conditions are met through 

a. to require the applicant to provide other information necessary to evaluate the application
b. to compare the application information with information obtained from other authorities that may pass on the information, including the Svalbard tax office
c. to go on inspection that is necessary to evaluate the application and to require the applicant to participate when necessary
d. to require that the applicant show up in person or otherwise prove that the applicant is in Longyearbyen. The same applies to any children for whom a grant is applied.

 
§ 8 Repayment duty
If an applicant provides incomplete or inaccurate information, and this results in unduly paid grants or grants with an excessive amount, the Longyearbyen Local Council may claim the unwarranted amount.

 
§ 9 Commencement
The regulation enters into force 31 March 2020 and is valid until 20 June 2020.

English guide for application form.pdf