Has your company in Norway declared bankruptcy? Check what to do about your salary, unemployment benefits (dagpenger), and sick pay
Employer bankruptcy can mean job loss, unpaid wages, and the need to quickly contact NAV. However, not everyone should immediately submit the same application. Different rules may apply to an employee who is healthy and ready to take up new employment, and others to a person who is on sick leave on the day their job ends.
Employer went bankrupt, did not pay your salary, or ended your employment during your sick leave?
MN
Not sure where to start?
MultiNOR helps Poles in Norway organize formalities after losing a job, find the right path, and prepare documents needed for NAV.
Check support after job loss
MultiNOR helps Poles in Norway organize formalities after losing a job, find the right path, and prepare documents needed for NAV.
Check support after job loss
1. Check if bankruptcy has been formally declared
A message from your boss that "the company is closing" or "there is no money" does not always mean formal bankruptcy. Typically, you can only use the state wage guarantee when a court has formally opened bankruptcy proceedings.
If your employer simply hasn't paid your salary, you should contact them in writing as soon as possible, specify the amount owed, and request clarification and payment. You also need to determine whether your employer is unwilling or truly unable to pay.
If your employer simply hasn't paid your salary, you should contact them in writing as soon as possible, specify the amount owed, and request clarification and payment. You also need to determine whether your employer is unwilling or truly unable to pay.
2. Secure all your documents
Gather:
You must substantiate your claim. The wage guarantee application is submitted to the trustee, who checks the documents and forwards the case to NAV. If the trustee does not contact you after bankruptcy is declared, you should find their contact details yourself and submit your claim.
If you are unsure which documents are also needed for NAV, you can contact the MultiNOR team.
- employment contract,
- pay slips,
- work hour records and schedules,
- bank transfer confirmations,
- written notice of termination,
- information about the bankruptcy or details of the trustee (bostyrer),
- correspondence regarding unpaid salary and bonuses.
You must substantiate your claim. The wage guarantee application is submitted to the trustee, who checks the documents and forwards the case to NAV. If the trustee does not contact you after bankruptcy is declared, you should find their contact details yourself and submit your claim.
If you are unsure which documents are also needed for NAV, you can contact the MultiNOR team.
3. Check lønnsgaranti – the wage guarantee scheme
The Norwegian wage guarantee can cover, among other things, unpaid salary, holiday pay, and some other employee entitlements. The total coverage limit is generally twice the base amount (G).
Deadlines are very important. Wage claims older than 12 months before the bankruptcy date may not be covered. Claims for the period after bankruptcy is declared are generally limited to one month. The application must be submitted to the trustee before the end of the proceedings, and in certain cases, no later than six months after bankruptcy is declared.
Deadlines are very important. Wage claims older than 12 months before the bankruptcy date may not be covered. Claims for the period after bankruptcy is declared are generally limited to one month. The application must be submitted to the trustee before the end of the proceedings, and in certain cases, no later than six months after bankruptcy is declared.
4. Register as a job seeker and apply for dagpenger (unemployment benefits)
The mere fact that your company has gone bankrupt does not automatically entitle you to unemployment benefits. NAV checks, among other things, whether you have lost at least 50 percent of your total working hours and income, whether you meet the previous earnings requirement, and whether you are genuinely seeking work.
To receive dagpenger, you must:
- register as a job seeker (arbeidssøker),
- submit an application for benefits,
- send in your meldekort (status report) every 14 days – even while waiting for a decision,
- provide your contract, notice of termination, and other required documents.
It is best to submit your application about two weeks before your last day of paid work. The right to benefits can arise at the earliest from the day you submit your application and register as a job seeker. If you do not have all the documents yet, you can send the missing materials later, but you must keep to the deadlines.
If you lost your job due to bankruptcy, you can indicate in your dagpenger application that you want to receive an advance on the wage guarantee. Such funds can be paid as dagpenger for up to one month and will then be settled with the proper wage guarantee payment.
To receive dagpenger, you must:
- register as a job seeker (arbeidssøker),
- submit an application for benefits,
- send in your meldekort (status report) every 14 days – even while waiting for a decision,
- provide your contract, notice of termination, and other required documents.
It is best to submit your application about two weeks before your last day of paid work. The right to benefits can arise at the earliest from the day you submit your application and register as a job seeker. If you do not have all the documents yet, you can send the missing materials later, but you must keep to the deadlines.
If you lost your job due to bankruptcy, you can indicate in your dagpenger application that you want to receive an advance on the wage guarantee. Such funds can be paid as dagpenger for up to one month and will then be settled with the proper wage guarantee payment.
Need help with your dagpenger application?
MultiNOR can help you:
Order help with your unemployment benefit application
- check if your situation qualifies for an application,
- organize the required information and documents,
- prepare your unemployment benefit application,
- navigate the formalities after job loss or layoff (permittering).
Order help with your unemployment benefit application
5. What if you are on sick leave?
If your sick leave started before you lost your job, you may still be entitled to sykepenger (sick pay). You should inform NAV about the end of your employment. NAV will then take over responsibility for your case, and once you regain your ability to work, you should register as a job seeker and apply for dagpenger.
If you first received dagpenger and then actually became ill, you may be entitled to sykepenger from the first day of sick leave. With 100% sick leave, dagpenger are not paid, and sick pay can take their place. An unemployed person needs a doctor's note from the very first day of illness.
Sick pay is not a substitute for unemployment benefits. The sick leave must be due to actual incapacity to work caused by illness or injury.
If you first received dagpenger and then actually became ill, you may be entitled to sykepenger from the first day of sick leave. With 100% sick leave, dagpenger are not paid, and sick pay can take their place. An unemployed person needs a doctor's note from the very first day of illness.
Sick pay is not a substitute for unemployment benefits. The sick leave must be due to actual incapacity to work caused by illness or injury.
Are you on sick leave and just lost your job?
In this situation, the order of actions matters. MultiNOR will help you check whether you should continue your sykepenger case or prepare to switch to dagpenger.
Check support for sick pay cases
In this situation, the order of actions matters. MultiNOR will help you check whether you should continue your sykepenger case or prepare to switch to dagpenger.
Check support for sick pay cases
6. Do you live in Poland? Don’t automatically assume you should apply in Norway
For employees living in Poland, it matters where you actually lived and how often you returned home.
A person who lived in another EEA country and returned there at least once a week will usually apply for benefits in their country of residence if they lose their job completely. In cases of partial unemployment or permittering, Norwegian benefits may be possible. In other situations, where to apply depends, among other things, on where you are staying after losing your job.
A person who lived in another EEA country and returned there at least once a week will usually apply for benefits in their country of residence if they lose their job completely. In cases of partial unemployment or permittering, Norwegian benefits may be possible. In other situations, where to apply depends, among other things, on where you are staying after losing your job.
7. Three mistakes that can cost you money
The first is waiting for all documents before taking action. The second is not submitting your meldekort while waiting for a decision. The third is resigning on your own without checking the consequences.
If NAV decides that the employee resigned without a justified reason, payment of dagpenger may be suspended for the first 18 weeks. Therefore, in cases of unpaid salary, health problems, or conflicts with your employer, you should secure documents confirming your situation in advance.
If NAV decides that the employee resigned without a justified reason, payment of dagpenger may be suspended for the first 18 weeks. Therefore, in cases of unpaid salary, health problems, or conflicts with your employer, you should secure documents confirming your situation in advance.
Employer went bankrupt, did not pay your salary, or ended your employment during your sick leave?
Do not send a random application. First, determine whether the right path is lønnsgaranti, dagpenger, sykepenger, or a benefit in Poland.
MultiNOR will help you choose the right path
We help Poles working in Norway with NAV matters and Norwegian formalities. We can assist with preparing your application, gathering documents, and organizing the next steps.
Lost your job or your company declared bankruptcy?
ORDER PREPARATION OF YOUR DAGPENGER APPLICATION
Are you on sick leave and your employment has ended?
CHECK SUPPORT FOR SICK PAY CASES
Not sure which service to choose?
CONTACT MULTINOR
Lost your job or your company declared bankruptcy?
ORDER PREPARATION OF YOUR DAGPENGER APPLICATION
Are you on sick leave and your employment has ended?
CHECK SUPPORT FOR SICK PAY CASES
Not sure which service to choose?
CONTACT MULTINOR
This material is for informational purposes only. NAV assesses each case individually. Using MultiNOR’s assistance does not guarantee that you will be granted benefits.
How do you rate this article?