The flexibility of parental benefit payments is the possibility of combining this period with vacation and work. The mother and father have various privileges in this regard. This solution brings many benefits - first of all, the possibility of extending free time or partially returning to work.
Flexible payment of parental benefit - mother
As in the case of the father, the flexibility of the mother's parental benefit payment is associated with the possibility of postponing the weeks of leave she is entitled to. The main difference, however, is that the obligatory 9 maternal-only weeks must be used anyway. The remaining time can be used at a different time, e.g. when the child grows up a little.
Find out the duration of parental benefit >>>
In which cases is it possible to postpone?
The mother is entitled to deferment of parental benefit in any of the following cases:
- the mother is employed full-time,
- the mother is entitled to annual leave, e.g. 21 days,
- the mother has health problems and needs help in caring for it,
- the mother and her child stayed covered by treatment in a hospital.
Read also: Parental allowance - what is it and how do I get it? >>>
Postponement for full-time employment
If the mother wishes to postpone her parental benefit period, the relevant application must be submitted to NAV on the last day of the compulsory weeks. In the case of the father, the deadline is the last day of the shared period. It is worth remembering, however, that if both parents are entitled to parental benefit, then it is impossible to postpone the maternity leave due to her professional activity.
IMPORTANT! A partner of the same sex has the same rights as the father >>>
Family and care allowance - how to apply effectively? >>>
Postponement due to health
Although NAV allows you to receive parental benefit due to health problems, a simple medical certificate is not enough. The mother must carefully document the inability to care for the child during the period due to her. For this purpose, it is required to attach to the application documentation that informs about the following issues:
- the way in which the mother's illness or disease prevents her from caring for the child,
- to what extent the mother is dependent on the help of third parties,
- how long the disease will last.
Check how to get a pregnancy allowance and a baby grant >>>
Flexibility of parental benefit payments and work
The Norwegian social welfare system has also implemented flexibility in the payment of parental benefit for a mother who wants to combine the period of receiving the benefit with work. The exception is, however, the mandatory period, which begins 3 weeks before and ends 6 weeks after birth. In the remaining weeks, it is possible to return to work, but the amount of the allowance will be proportionally lower to the number of hours worked.
What is the duration of parental benefit in Norway? >>>
IMPORTANT! Combining work with receiving parental benefit extends the period for which you are entitled to this benefit. This changes depending on the length of time in which employment is taken. At the same time, there is no upper or lower limit of the hours that can be worked per week.
Flexible payment of parental benefit when many children are born
In the event that two or more children are born, it is possible for the father to use his period during the compulsory period of the mother. There are two ways to calculate the amount of the benefit in this case:
- coefficient depending on whether the mother has opted for 80% or 100% of the salary coverage rate,
- using the additional period of receiving the allowance which the father is entitled to as a result of the birth of two or more children.
Paternity leave in Norway - how to take advantage of it? >>>
Flexibility in the payment of parental benefits in Norway is an attractive instrument of social policy. However, due to the fact that this solution is unknown in Poland, it is always worth checking with NAV how to use the privilege. Like the father, the mother can also postpone her maternity leave in certain circumstances. However, if both parents are entitled to the allowance, the mother cannot postpone her leave on the grounds of returning to work. It is also worth knowing that it is possible to combine the period of receiving the benefit with the performance of work, but there are clearly defined provisions in this regard - especially when it comes to the proportionality of the amount of the benefit depending on the number of hours worked. If in any doubt, please visit your local NAV office for complete answers. In this way, we can avoid mistakes that have specific financial consequences.
