User-Controlled Personal Assistance (BPA)

If you have a severe disability or a long-term and significant need for practical and personal assistance in daily life, you may apply for user-controlled personal assistance (BPA).

Within the allocated hours, you can, in principle, decide who you want as your assistant(s) and what tasks they should perform. The goal is to enable you to lead an active and independent life.

As a parent, you may also have the right to BPA for a child under 18 years old with a disability.

• Individuals with complex and extensive needs for services who are capable of managing their assistants (taking on the role of work leader).
• Individuals who cannot manage this role themselves, such as those with intellectual disabilities.
• Families with children who have disabilities.

People who are unable to care for themselves or who are totally dependent on practical or personal assistance to manage their daily tasks.

Hjelpetilbud i kommunen
Patient and interpreter. A brochure about interpretation in the health services
Om brukerstyrt personlig assistanse (BPA) (Rundskriv I-4/24)

This is a legally mandated service. See

Helse- og omsorgstjenesteloven § 3-2 og § 3-8

Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven § 2-1a og 2-1d.

Forvaltningsloven
Helse- og omsorgstjenesteloven
Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven

Both the person needing assistance and their relatives can apply for this service. The municipality is required to provide information about your rights and guidance on how to apply. You will receive a preliminary response from the municipality regarding the expected processing time. The municipality will then collect relevant information, assess whether you meet the requirements, and issue a decision.

If someone is applying on your behalf, you must include a power of attorney.

Before making a decision, the municipality will conduct a detailed assessment of your needs and preferences. Normally, a home visit will be arranged. Following this assessment, a decision will be issued stating whether you have been granted the service and what it will include.

The municipality must process the case as soon as possible. If a decision cannot be made within one month, you will receive written notification explaining the reason for the delay and an estimated timeframe for when the decision will be made.

If you are dissatisfied with the decision, you can appeal to the municipality within three weeks of receiving it. Explain what you disagree with and why you believe the decision should be changed. If you need guidance, you can contact the municipality. If the municipality upholds its decision, the case will be forwarded to the County Governor, who will determine whether the appeal should be upheld.