Struggling with basic expenses? Check municipal financial assistance

Applications are made to social services in your municipality. This is means-tested last-resort support: available income, assets and other benefits normally come first, and the whole household is assessed.

If you cannot cover basic expenses, your municipality may be able to help.

If your household cannot support itself, you can apply to your municipality for financial assistance. It can cover essential costs such as food, rent, electricity and home insurance, but every case is assessed individually.

What you need to know

• Applications are made to social services in your municipality.
• Income support includes the national norm plus reasonable costs for housing, electricity, home insurance, work travel, union and a-kassa fees.
• Other necessary costs can be assessed separately, such as dental care, glasses, healthcare, moving or funeral costs.
• From 1 July 2026, new activity requirements apply, including medical-documentation rules when illness prevents participation.

What to do

1. Find social services on your municipality’s website.
2. Prepare bank statements, rental agreement, bills, income and asset information.
3. Submit an application; you have the right to a formal decision.
4. If rejected in whole or in part, the decision can be appealed.

Important

This is means-tested last-resort support: available income, assets and other benefits normally come first, and the whole household is assessed.

Official sources

• Socialstyrelsen — Ekonomiskt bistånd
• Socialstyrelsen — Riksnormen för försörjningsstöd

Sources checked: 2026-09-11.