Keep in mind...
You are using an older version of your web browser. This means that you might not be able to use all of the functions of the website. We recommend that you update to a newer version.

Childcare allowance

Childcare allowance is support for parents caring for a child with a disability or long-term illness.

It is no longer possible to apply for childcare allowance, and the information on this page therefore applies only to those who have already been granted childcare allowance. If you have not already been granted a childcare allowance, you can instead apply for a care allowance for children with special needs and additional cost allowance. These are new allowances replacing childcare allowance.

How long will your childcare allowance last

The decision letter you received when you applied states how long your childcare allowance will last and when we will review the decision. The basic rule is that the decision will stop to apply when it would normally have been reviewed. We will contact you four months before your decision on childcare allowance would otherwise be reviewed or before your time-limited decision expires in order for you to apply for a care allowance for children with special needs and additional cost allowance.

If you have a child who needs extra care and supervision due to their disability, you can apply for a care allowance for children with special needs. You can apply for an additional cost allowance if you have additional costs due to your child’s disability.

Change for those with a childcare allowance

2 minutes

Version without background music: Change for those with a childcare allowance (Youtube)

Report changes

It is important to report changes that may affect your childcare allowance. Contact your case administrator if, for example,

  • your child's disability changes
  • your child's need for care and supervision changes
  • the granted assistance allowance for the child increases or decreases
  • you are granted measures or support by the municipality or region, or if the measures and support that you have increase or decrease.

Report the change as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after you learned about the change. Otherwise, you may be required to pay back the money.

Disbursement

Childcare allowance is paid out on the 18th or 19th of every month.

For special disbursement dates, see

Disbursement dates and processing times

The amounts are adjusted at the start of each year. In 2020 these are:

  • SEK 2,464 per month (one-fourth)
  • SEK 4,927 per month (one-half)
  • SEK 7,391 per month (three quarters)
  • SEK 9,854 per month (full).

You must pay tax on the childcare allowance.

 

The right to childcare allowance was based on a weighting of the child's need for special care and supervision as well as additional costs. The new allowances are intended to be more targeted and clear.

  • The care allowance for children with special needs replaces the part of childcare allowance relating to special care and supervision for the child.
  • Additional cost allowance for children replaces the part of the childcare allowance relating to additional costs.

Childcare allowance

This is childcare allowance in brief.

  • The right to compensation was based on a weighting of the child's need for special care and supervision as well as additional costs.
  • Only one parent has been able to receive the allowance, but there is an option to split the payment if the parents agree and have joint custody.
  • It has not been possible to receive childcare allowance retroactively upon application.
  • The right to compensation must be followed up (reviewed) at least once every two years (unless there is reason to review the case at longer intervals). Follow-up (review) also takes place in the event of a change in circumstances affecting the need for the allowance.

Care allowance for children with special needs

This is care allowance for children with special needs in brief.

  • The right to compensation is based solely on the child's need for care and supervision.
  • Two parents can receive an allowance for the same child.
  • The allowance can be distributed among the parents: the main rule is that they receive half each.
  • It is possible to receive care allowance for children with special needs retroactively up to three months before the application was submitted.
  • The right to the allowance must be followed up (reviewed) at least once every two years (unless there is reason to review the case at longer intervals). Follow-up (review) also takes place in the event of a change in circumstances affecting the need for the care allowance for children with special needs.

Additional cost allowance

This is additional cost allowance in brief.

  • The right to the allowance is based solely on the reasonable additional costs you as a parent incur as a result of your child's disability. The additional cost allowance can be granted at five levels.
  • Two parents can receive compensation for the same child.
  • The compensation can be distributed among the parents: the main rule is that they receive half each.
  • It is possible to receive additional cost allowance retroactively up to three months before the application was submitted.
  • The right to compensation must be followed up (reviewed) at least once every four years (unless there is reason to review the case at longer intervals). Follow-up (review) also takes place in the event of a change in circumstances affecting the right to compensation.
 

 Hjälp oss göra vår webbplats bättre

Svara på enkäten och berätta vad du tycker om webbplatsen.

Till enkäten öppnas i nytt fönster

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Each child entitles you to one full childcare allowance. If you apply for childcare allowance for two children, you can receive no more than two full childcare allowances. 

The decision letter you receive after applying will let you know how long the childcare allowance has been granted for. The letter will also indicate when your decision will be followed up (reviewed). If your decision will be reviewed in 2019 or later, it will instead cease. You then have the option of applying for child carer’s allowance and child carer’s additional cost allowance. Read more about the new benefits.

News for individuals receiving childcare allowance

At the most, you can receive childcare allowance up until June of the year the child turns 19.

Yes, we assess the total additional costs and need of supervision and care for the children. This means that you may receive childcare allowance even if the needs of each individual child would not entitle you to childcare allowance.

No. You can also receive it if:

  • you have or had children with the parent and you live together
  • you are or were married to the parent and you live together
  • you are or were a registered partner of the parent and you live together
  • you are an appointed legal guardian
  • you are working to become an adoptive parent.

Yes. If your child is under long-term care at a hospital or another institution, you can retain the childcare allowance for 6 months.

If the child is severely ill and you as a parent must be at the hospital during your child's treatment, then you can retain the childcare allowance for 12 months.

Yes. You can receive holiday childcare allowance when the child is at home. For you to be eligible for the allowance, the child must be home at least ten days out of one quarter or ten days in a row over the turn of a quarter.

Yes. If your child normally lives at a boarding house at a national special school for the disabled, national upper-secondary school or the equivalent, you can receive childcare allowance for the time the child spends at home.

No. You can receive childcare allowance starting from the month you submit your application.

Yes. The child does not have to have a set diagnosis. It is enough to send in a certificate from the doctor that describes the child's medical condition.

You are insured in Sweden if you live or work here.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. You can work in another country and still be insured in Sweden. There are also situations in which you can work in Sweden but be insured in another country. Call the Customer Centre at 0771-524 524 to learn what applies if you:

  • work as a sailor
  • are assigned to work in another country by a Swedish employer or are assigned to work in Sweden by a foreign employer
  • are a diplomat
  • work in two or more countries
  • are a civil servant of an administration that belongs to Sweden but work in another country

If you have technical issues

If your e-identification does not work or if you have other technical issues, you can get help on our technical support pages. There, you can get assistance from an administrator directly in a web meeting. You are then connected with the administrator, who can see your screen and help you. Web meetings are available during the Customer Centre’s opening hours.

Technical support opens in a new window

If you have a protected identity

If you or your child has a protected identity, you cannot use all of the e-services found on My pages (Mina sidor).

If you are living with a protected identity or have a child with a protected identity

If you must apply using a paper form

All forms that can be downloaded from the website can be found under Forms and certificates.

Forms and certificates

If you are granted an extended care allowance, you will not receive a written decision. If your insurance company wants confirmation, you can contact us and get a copy of the note in the records, where the decision has been made. 

Related links

For those of are applying for compensation