over the next few summer days.
The power was turned off on Tuesday, the next day the rejection came from NAV Indre Østfold. The man received CZK 600 for emergency assistance, but did not receive any support for electricity expenses.
Law professor Jan Fridthjof Bernt believes that the refusal is illegal and ethically unjustified.
- This is not how a person dealing with public authorities should be treated - says the former rector of the University of Bergen.
NAV apologizes
The decision is no joke, it is real, is confirmed and apologized by NAV leader Indre Østfold Rikke Haagensen in an e-mail to VG.
- We will now review our decision dispatch routines and conduct an internal audit to ensure that our citizens are well served in line with what NAV is required to do.
Here is the content of the decision that caused the social media storm:
“It is summer and there has been talk of warm and fair weather for a long time. That way you are not dependent on the heat in your home to survive, writes NAV.
The case officer points out that there are now options for grilling food in the open air.
"Maybe you can borrow the grill if you don't have one yourself, so that you can make dinners without being dependent on electricity at home," writes NAV.
A NAV employee checked finn.no and discovered that several barbecues had been distributed nearby.
“In addition, you can drink the tap juice / water at home. Thanks to that, on these summer days we do not need a refrigerator to drink ”- writes NAV.
I had 60 crowns on my account
- That wording broke me, says the man whose application was rejected.
He was self-employed in his own company before divorcing in 2011. The following year he developed lung cancer and had one lung removed.
Over the past ten years, he has been doing various jobs. Last March, he received 50 percent of his disability pension. A few months later he had a heart attack and a blood clot.
A year later, he was fully disability pensioner.
- I was struggling with old debts and overdrafts. If it weren't for the arrears, I would have done quite well, says the man.
But last week he only had 60 kronor on his account.
Read our next article: Social benefits in Norway
A man on a pension cannot pay his electricity bill. There is no hot water or TV
NAV granted NOK 600 to emergency assistance for ten days but refused to pay for electricity. The man has to pay 9000 kronor to be restored to electricity again.
“You may also have friends you can borrow money from until your disability benefits come back in, to possibly pay off your arrears. energy electricity," writes NAV.
- It's quite absurd. If I'm going to go through debt negotiations, I have to avoid borrowing from friends and acquaintances, the man says.
He recently got a debt adviser to help him get back on his feet financially.
The man says he applied for a one-time payment to overcome the problem.
- Do you feel you met with respect?
- That was awful. I didn't feel well when I first approached NAV and asked for help. I've never had to do anything before, and I've been working for 40 years.
He says the disability pension comes on Thursday. So far it is without electricity.
- Food in the fridge and freezer is just a waste. I don't have hot water or TV, I can't charge my phone. And I don't have a barbecue.
Law professor: - The reasons for the decision are completely unacceptable
Professor Emeritus of Law, Jan Fridthjof Bernt, reminds that the Social Welfare Act is based on the principle of providing necessary assistance under reasonable living conditions.
- In this case, the illegality is that it goes well below the reasonable minimum level of assistance and benefits, indicating that the applicant has to improvise by borrowing the grill and cooking outside when the power is off, says the professor.
Bernt adds that good administrative practice shows that that people have the right expect NAV to treat them with respect and dignity when they find themselves in a situation where they cannot live normally.
- The reasons for the decision are completely unacceptable. In fact, it is said that as long as you don't starve yourself or freeze to death, we have no obligations to you. People in a difficult life situation should not be treated like this.
Jan Fridthjof Bernt also responds to the wording in response from NAV.
- The tone is very provocative and sharp with this person. They use a very hard form and seem to be trying to teach the person a lesson, says Bernt.
A man on a pension cannot pay his electricity bill - Unworthy treatment
The AAP campaign published the decision on Facebook in an anonymous form. The manager believes that the treatment of the sick and disabled is criticized.
- This NAV office should be ashamed, says campaign leader Elisabeth Thoresen.
The AAP campaign fights for changes to labor benefits legislation, but also covers topics such as sick leave, NAV checks and disability pensions.
What he considers illegal humiliation in this case he considers to be one of many problems.
- Such unworthy treatment of people should not be possible and tells us everything about the values we encounter. This is Elisabeth Thoresen.
NAV leader Indre Østfold Rikke Haagesen writes to VG:
“On Sunday evening, we were informed that the decision document from NAV had been shared on social media. We regret that he was sent to an inhabitant of our commune. We must treat all citizens with respect and it must not happen that a decision like this will be sent from the NAV office. "
