Can You Get Housing Allowance With Alternate Living?

What Is a Housing Allowance?

Housing allowance is a benefit for families with children, and for young households aged 18–28. You apply to Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Agency), and the calculation takes into account your home (its size and cost), your income, and your family situation. You can qualify whether you rent your home first-hand, sublet, or own it, provided your income is on the lower side. One prerequisite is that your child lives with you, fully or part of the time.

Good to Know About Housing Allowance and Alternate Living

• You can receive housing allowance until the month your child turns 18, or until they finish upper secondary school.
• Your child must live with you for you to be eligible. If the child lives alternately, or mostly with the other parent, that affects the size of the allowance: more time with you means a larger allowance, and vice versa.
• If the child lives with you less than about half the time, your home must have at least two rooms and a kitchen, and a living area of at least 40 square meters.
• The allowance is granted 12 months at a time, which gives you a stable foundation. After that, you simply reapply to keep receiving the support.
• Report any change that could affect your eligibility to Försäkringskassan as soon as possible — for example, if your child starts living more or less with you. This reduces the risk of having to pay money back.
• If a change entitles you to more money, reporting it promptly means you get it sooner. A complete application takes about 30 days to process.
• The allowance is paid out on the 27th of each month.

Source: Försäkringskassan (forsakringskassan.se)