Spouse- and carer benefits

The spouse and care benefits are intended to cover the loss of income for an individual who has to reduce his or her work or stop working because of the care of a spouse or other household members.

General information

You can apply for spousal and care benefits if care for a spouse or other household member has led to:

• loss of income,

or

• no income.

The individual receiving care must be receiving monthly payments of:

• disability pension,

• disability grant,

• sickness and rehabilitation benefits

or

• old-age pension.

Conditions

An individual providing care must meet the following conditions:

• Be registered at the same legal domicile (same residential ID number) as the person requiring care,

• Must not receive pension payments or new medical- and rehabilitation allowance from TR,

• Must be able to demonstrate that their income has decreased or been lost due to providing care,

• The care must take place in Iceland,

• Combined income, including spousal and care benefits, must not exceed the income threshold for spousal and care benefits, 856.085 ISK, before tax per month.

A right is terminated or suspended

Entitlement to spousal and childcare allowance is forfeited or does not exist if the applicant:

• Does not have the same legal domicile as the person requiring care.

• Cannot demonstrate a loss of income or lack of income due to providing care. When assessing the loss/lack of income, changes in the caregiver's circumstances are considered, among other things.

• Has income that exceeds the reference limits.

• Receives a disability pension, old-age pension, or new medical- and rehabilitation allowance.

• Receives unemployment benefits.

• Is a full-time student.

In addition, the person requiring care must not:

• Have an active NPA agreement.

• Be in daycare during daytime working hours.

Amount of spousal and childcare benefits

The amount is 250.170 ISK per month.

Employment income and spouse's and carer's benefits may not exceed the income threshold for spouse's and carer's benefits 856.085 ISK which is the threshold at which the right to an old-age pension from TR is forfeited.