The right to parental benefits from premature births is extended

Newborn New Year's babiesNewborn baby looking at the world. Photo:Pixabay

Parents with children born at the latest in pregnancy week 32 will receive an extended parental benefit period corresponding to the number of days from birth until the original term.

“Premature children are often less robust and more vulnerable than children born on term. When the parental period is over, the child often needs more time with the parents. Therefore, I am very pleased that we are now extending the right to parental benefit for these parents. This will not include all premature children, but it will be important for those children who are born much too early,” says children’s and family minister Kjell Ingolf Ropstad.

The change thus means that the period of parental benefit is extended by as many days as the number of days from actual birth to original term date, writes the Ministry of Children and Equality.

Parents will not be able to receive parental benefit until the mother and child are discharged from the hospital. If the child must be in the hospital, the parents are entitled to a nursing allowance during this period.

The new scheme will apply to parents with premature children who are born as of July 1 this year.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today