Am I eligible for child carer’s allowance?

You can receive child carer’s allowance if

• your child has a disability. A disability can be congenital or the result of an illness, injury, or the like.
• you give the child care and supervision as a result of the disability for at least six months.
• you are the child’s parent or can be equated with the child’s parent.
• you and your child are insured in Sweden. If you live here, you are. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

What is considered care and supervision?

Care can refer to direct care efforts you provide for your child, but also other assistance such as

• special training
• practical help in day-to-day life, such as getting dressed and undressed, hygiene, homework, clothing care and help with meals
• establishing routines and structure
• getting your child active and motivated
• special diet, moisturising or other self-care.

Supervision is the presence of an adult that your child needs, for example, so that they do not run away, come up with dangerous things to do, or suffer or cause an accident. Supervision does not necessarily mean that you need to actively prevent situations that are hazardous for the child. It can also be, for example, that you are available in case something happens while the child is at school.

Two parents can receive child carer’s allowance

You and the child’s other parent can receive child carer’s allowance for the same child. In such case, you share the allowance. Försäkringskassan assesses the child’s total need for care and supervision, and you can choose how the allowance is divided between you. If you do not make a choice, you will receive half each. If you cannot reach an agreement, Försäkringskassan will make a division in units of one-fourth based on where the child lives and spends their time.

How do I apply?

1. Apply on My pages (Mina sidor)

Apply for child carer’s allowance on My pages (Mina sidor). You use the same application to change how much of the allowance goes to you and how much of it goes to the other parent.

2. Send in a medical statement

The time it takes to process your application depends on its complexity and if we need additional information from you. Normally, you can expect a decision within 3 to 5 months.

If you are not applying via the e-service, send the medical certificate and other attachments to:

Försäkringskassans inläsningscentral
839 88 Östersund

3. We will contact you

Once we have started processing your case, we will book an appointment with you where we jointly review your child’s needs for care and supervision related to the disability. The administrator will then assess whether the circumstances entitle you to child carer’s allowance and, if so, at what level.

If you indicated that you need an interpreter, the administrative officer will make sure one participates in the phone call.

4. You will receive a decision

The time it takes to process your application depends on its complexity and if we need additional information from you. Normally, you can expect a decision within 3 to 5 months.

If you are granted child carer’s allowance, you will receive a decision about what amount you will receive per month. The decision can either have a specific time limit, or apply until June of the year that the child turns 19.

5. Disbursement

Information about when you receive your payments:

Utbetalningsdatum och handläggningstider (in Swedish) External link.

6. Notify us if anything changes

Call your case administrator if, for example,

• your child's disability changes
• your child's need for care and supervision changes
• the attendance allowance for the child increases or decreases
• support from your municipality or county increases or decreases

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.