This section contains information on social assistance provided by the municipal and state social services and what conditions you need to fulfil to be entitled to such assistance.

In what situation can I claim?

The role of municipal social services is to ensure the financial and social security of its residents and promote welfare on the basis of social assistance.

The assistance of the municipal and state social services include financial assistance, social advice, social home services as well as specialised assistance for the elderly and the disabled.

The entitlement to social assistance is attached to the domicile. You apply for assistance in the municipality in which you have your domicile.

Emergency financial assistance is exempt from this requirement.

What conditions do I need to meet?

Municipal financial assistance is intended for people who cannot support themselves or their children. The object of the assistance is to prevent individuals and families from putting themselves in such a position that they are unable to resolve their own problems.

Each municipality establishes for itself rules on financial assistance in accordance with the Local Authorities' Social Services Act. The rules state the basic criteria based on the maintenance cost of supporting an individual or husband and wife/co-habitants.

Account is taken of all the income of the applicant when financial requirements are calculated. Most municipalities take account of the financial needs of individuals or spouses/co-habitants and do not include the cost of supporting children given that payments to applicants for children (including child support and child benefits) are not considered as income when assessing financial needs.

The municipal social services provide people, in some cases, with financial assistance due to particular difficulties, such as for dentists' services and psychiatric and psychological treatment and social worker consultation and the costs of a child's leisure time activities.

Young people
Housing benefit is for residents  with low income in leased housing. Housing benefit  is calculated taking into account the family size, income and rent cost. The Housing and Construction Authority administers the Housing Benefit Act and takes decisions regarding entitlement to housing benefit.

Some municipalities provide  means tested special housing support .

Social assistance (state)
Special additional support may be provided to certain groups in special circumstances, such as old-age and invalidity pensioners, the disabled, single parents, the parents of disabled children and children suffering from long-term illnesses and health-insured persons who bear significantly burdensome medical and medication costs.

What am I entitled to and how can I claim?

To apply for support from the municipal social services, you will need to book an appointment with a social worker and attend an interview.

You can apply for general housing benefits on-line here:  https://www.hms.is/husnaedisbaetur/applying-for-housing-benefit/applying-for-housing-benefit/

Jargon busters

Financial assistance: A loan or a grant provided to people for a specific reason, e.g. from their local authorities, if they have such a low income that they are unable to pay for necessities.

Support Involves providing for one's daily needs and/or that of others, mainly food, housing and clothing; parents, for instance, are responsible for supporting their children.

Support grants: Is monetary assistance that people can obtain from the municipality or, in special circumstances, the state, to support themselves.

Minimum support: The amount assumed that people need to pay for necessities.

Conditions: If conditions are set for something, e.g. conditions for receiving compensation or grants, then one has to meet certain requirements in order to receive them.

Know your rights

The following websites provide further information about your rights. They are not, however, operated by the EU Commission and do not reflect the Commission's views:

• List of municipalities in Iceland https://www.samband.is/sveitarfelogin/
• List of social services in Iceland
• Municipal rules on financial assistance and home services according to municipalities  https://www.samband.is/english/
• Local Authorities' Social Services Act  https://www.stjornarradid.is/verkefni/felags-og-fjolskyldumal/felagsthjonusta-sveitarfelaga/
• Act on the Affairs of Disabled People.
• https://www.hms.is/husnaedisbaetur/housing-benefit/

Publications and websites operated by the EU Commission:

• Unemployment and social security: Rights of EU citizens overseas

Who do you need to contact?

You contact the municipality in which you are domiciled.