English

What are the social services?

The social services can be found in all municipalities.

They work to enable people to live
a safe and independent life.

They also work to ensure that children and young people
get a good start in life.

The social services employ social workers. They help you if you need support and explain what kinds of services and assistance are available to you. 

The mission of the social services

The work of the social services is governed by the Social Services Act.

The goal is for everyone in the municipality to have

• financial security
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services provide support throughout life

The social services can provide support in many different ways.

For example, you can get support if you

• are a child, a young person or a parent
  – for example, help with family counselling or family homes
• have difficulty managing your finances
• are elderly and need help in everyday life
• have a disability
• have problems with alcohol or drugs
• are subjected to violence in close relationships
• are subjecting your loved ones to violence
• have nowhere to live
• want to leave a criminal or violent environment.

Everyone in the municipality can get help

Everyone who lives in the municipality
can apply for support from the social services.

Sometimes the social services carry out an investigation.
This means that they find out
what support is needed.

If you take care of a loved

Are you helping or caring for a loved one?
For example, someone in your family, a friend or partner?

You can also receive support.

You can get, for example

• someone to talk to
• help from someone who can take over and give you a break
• practical help in everyday life.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Do you need support or help?

Contact the social services.

They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.
This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?

You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could be, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.

Do you need support in your family?
Or in your role as a parent?

Are you worried about your child?

Children and young people have the right to grow up in safety
and to be happy.

But sometimes it can be hard to be a parent.

Support for families

The social services can provide support for you and your family.

They can talk to you and find out
what help you need
to make things better at home.

Most families receive the help they need in their home.
This is called open care.

This means that the child remains living at home.

The support is usually voluntary,
which means that you can say yes or no
and end the support whenever you want.

If a child needs protection

Sometimes, a child may need protecting
even if the parents do not agree.

In these cases, the courts can decide to provide support
under a law that is known as LVU.

LVU is a Swedish abbreviation that refers to the Act with Special Provisions on the Care of Young People.

What support can you get?

The support that you and your family can get
depends on what you need.

For example, you can get:

• Support within the family
  Talking and helping to solve problems or conflicts.
  
  
• Support for children and young people
  For example, for young people who have problems
  with alcohol, drugs or crime.
  
  
• Parents’ groups
  Advice and support to help you with your parenting
  and opportunities to meet with other parents.
  
  
• Contact family or contact person
  An extra adult or family
  that your child can meet with.
  
  
• Family home
  If the child cannot live at home
  they can live with another family for a while.
  
  
• Family counselling
  Counselling for couples and families who need support.
  
  
• Support if you separate
  Help with custody, housing and access issues.
  
  
• Support in cases of violence in close relationships
  Help if someone is subjecting you to violence or control. 
  
  

• Support for school absence or school refusal.
  You can receive support and guidance if your child has difficulty going to school, is often at home, or has stopped attending school completely.
  The support may involve cooperation with the school, creating routines, and finding solutions that work for the child and the family.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Do you need support or help?
Contact the social services.

They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Parents will usually be informed of
things that concern their children.

But as the child gets older,
they get to decide more for themselves
about what their parents should be told.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need support when talking to social services?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.

This could be a friend or someone in your family.

The support person can help you with
understanding information
and saying what you want to have said.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Are you worried about a child?

If you think that a child is at risk of harm,
you should inform the social services.

This is called making a report of concern.

If you are unsure,
you can talk to the social services
for guidance.

You do not have to say
which child is involved.

Some people have an obligation to inform the
social services if they think that a child may be at risk of harm.
This applies, for example, to school staff
and healthcare workers.

Public counsel

In some cases, the court can order that a child be cared for in accordance with LVU (the Act with Special Provisions on the Care of Young People).

The child and parents then have the right to a lawyer
who can help them.

This person is called a public counsel.

It is the court that decides
who this public counsel will be.

There is no financial cost for the family.

Are you struggling to make ends meet?
If so, support is available from the social services.

The kind of support that you can get depends on
what you need help with.

Do you have any debts?
If you have debts
or difficulty planning your finances,
you can get support from a budget and debt advisor.

This is someone who helps you to

• get better control over your finances
• manage your debts.

Contact your municipality for help.

You can also find a budget and debt advisor
via the Swedish Consumer Agency.

What is financial assistance?

Financial assistance is money
that you can apply for from the social services.

You can get financial assistance
if you do not have enough money to take care of yourself or your family.

You can also get support to help you to manage your finances in the future.

The rules on financial assistance are set out in the Social Services Act.

Two types of financial assistance

Financial assistance can come in two forms:

• income support
• support for other living expenses.

Income support

Income support is money
to help pay for your regular monthly expenses.

The money provided is to pay for

• food
• clothing and footwear
• leisure activities
• health and hygiene
• newspapers and telephone
• consumables,
  such as washing-up liquid and light bulbs.

The government decides each year
how much money can be paid.

This amount is called the national standard.
The same national standard applies throughout the whole of Sweden.

You can also get support for certain other expenses, such as

• accommodation
• electricity
• home insurance
• travel to work
• trade union membership
• unemployment insurance fund.

The social services assess whether the expenses are reasonable.
What is reasonable depends on different things.
For example, where and how you live.

Support for other living expenses

You can also get financial assistance for certain costs
that do not arise every month.

For example, the cost of:

• dental care
• glasses
• medical care

The social services assess whether such support is needed
to enable you to live at a reasonable level.

Do you need support in everyday life?

Do you want to continue living at home but need help?
Or would you like to meet and do things together with other people?

This kind of support is available from the social services.

The mission of the social services
Care for the elderly is part of the work of the social services.
The work of the social services is governed by the Social Services Act.

The goal is that everyone in the municipality shall have

• financial security
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services can also provide support to older people.

The municipality shall work to ensure that older people

• can live and work independently
• feel safe
• can have an active and meaningful everyday life
• receive care and support at home, if needed.

If you want to continue living at home

Do you want to continue living at home but need support?
You can then apply for help from the homecare service (hemtjänst).

The homecare service can help you with
cleaning, cooking, laundry and shopping.

You can also get help with showering,
getting dressed, eating and taking medication.

If you feel unsafe at home,
you can get a personal safety alarm.

This allows you to get help quickly
if you need it.

Fixed contact

If you are helped by the homecare service,
you have the right to a fixed contact.

This is known as your care contact.

This is an assistant nurse
who gets to know you
and can ensure that the help you receive is working.

If you cannot remain living at home

Is it difficult for you to stay living in your own home?
If so, you can apply for residential care for older people.

There are different types of accommodation.

In some, staff are present at all times.

In others, you look after yourself
but can sometimes get support,
when you need it.

Compare care for the elderly

You can compare the homecare services and residential nursing homes
throughout Sweden.

You can do this at Äldreguiden.

There you can also read about

• how to apply for support
• what support is available
• what it costs.

Would you like to meet and do things together with other people?

At meeting places and day centres,
you can meet with other people and take part in activities.

You can also get support there during the day.

Sometimes there are activities that are good for your health,
such as exercise.

Financial support

If you have difficulty making ends meet,
you can apply for financial support.

You can also get help to plan your finances
and manage any debts that you might have.

This is called budget and debt advice.

Read more here: Financial support – National Board of Health and Welfare

Support for loved ones

Are you helping or caring for a loved one?
For example, someone in your family, a friend or partner?

You can also receive support.

You can get, for example

• someone to talk to
• practical help in everyday life.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Would you like to find out what kind of help you can get?
Contact the social services.

They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.

This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?

You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could be, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.

Do you need support or help in everyday life
because you have a disability?

If so, you can get help from the social services.

The aim of the support is to make it easier for you
to live independently
and be part of society.

If you need support, you can contact the social services.

The mission of the social services
The social services can be found in every municipality.

Their goal is for everyone in the municipality to have

• a secure financial situation
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services can also provide support
for people with disabilities.

What kind of support is available?
The social services can provide different types of support.

The kind of support that you can get depends on
what you need help with.

You can get help at home and with your everyday life.
You can also get help outside your home
or supported accommodation.

Examples of support:

Residential support and homecare service
Support at home or in the community.

Escort service
Support to participate in leisure activities or cultural experiences.

Occupation or day centres
Activities that provide structure and a sense of community in everyday life.

Activity centres or meeting points
Places where you can meet others
with disabilities
and take part in activities.

The activities that are available
will depend on which municipality you live in.

Supported accommodation
If you need more support, you can apply for a home
where there are staff
to help you with what you need.

Support for loved ones
Are you helping or caring for a loved one?
For example, someone in your family, a friend or partner?

You can also receive support.

You can get, for example

• someone to talk to
• help with respite care of the person
  to give you a break
• practical support in everyday life.

Other support from the municipality
The municipality can also provide support in accordance with LSS.

LSS is a Swedish abbreviation that refers to the Act on Support and Services
to Certain Disabled Persons.

This law only applies to certain groups.

The municipality can also help with, for example

• adapting your home to meet your needs
• advice on how to manage debt
  and gain better control over your finances.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Do you need support in everyday life?

Contact the social services.
They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

Do you have problems with alcohol, drugs or gambling?
Or are you worried about someone close to you?

If so, support is available from the social services.

The mission of the social services
The social services can be found in every municipality.
Their work is governed by the Social Services Act.

The goal is that everyone in the municipality shall have

• a secure financial situation
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services can also provide support
to those struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

What kind of support is available?

You can get support if you have problems with

• alcohol
• drugs
• other substances that people can become addicted to
• medicines
• doping substances

The kind of support that you can get depends on
what you need help with.

You can get, for example

• Conversations and advice
  Talk about your situation
  and get help to find ways forward.
• Treatment
  Help to break the dependency.
• Housing support 
  Support in everyday life in your home
  or somewhere else.
• Occupation and work
  Help to get structure in everyday life
  and find studies, work practice or employment.
• Support for family members
  Your family or others close to you
  can also receive support.
• Family counselling
  Therapeutic conversations for couples and families
  who need support in their relationships.
• Budget and debt advice
  Help to plan your finances
  and to manage debt.

Cooperation with others
The social services often work together
with the health services.

This could involve, for example

• healthcare centres
• psychiatry services
• addiction treatment centres.

This means that you can get help
with both practical things
and things related to your health.

You are involved in the decisions

You get to have your own say in
discussions of what support you should receive.

You and your social worker
review your situation together.

Together, you decide which form of support is right for you.

Support for loved ones

Are you helping or caring for a loved one?
For example, someone in your family, a friend or partner?

You can also receive support.

You can get, for example

• someone to talk to
• practical help in everyday life.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Do you have problems with alcohol, drugs or gambling?
Do you need support or help?

Contact the social services.

They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.  

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.

This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?
You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could involve, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.

Do you have nowhere to live?
Or are you at risk of losing your home?

If so, you can get advice and support from the social services.

The mission of the social services

The social services can be found in every municipality.
Their work is governed by the Social Services Act.

The goal is that everyone in the municipality shall have

• financial security
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services can also provide support
for those who are homeless
or at risk of becoming so.

Are you at risk of losing your home?

Are you having trouble paying your rent?
Are you at risk of losing your home?

Contact the social services.

They can provide advice and support to help you
to keep your home.

Are you homeless?

Do you not have a home?
Are you unable to resolve the situation yourself?

Contact the social services.
They can help by providing advice and support.

In some cases, you can also get help with accommodation.

What kind of support is available?

For example, you can get help with

• financial assistance
• a place in protected accommodation
• a place in supported accommodation
• housing support – i.e., practical support in everyday life
• homecare service (hemtjänst)
• budget and debt advice.

Do you have any debts?

If you have debts
or difficulty planning your finances,
you can get help from a budget and debt advisor.

This is someone who helps you to

• get better control over your finances
• manage your debts.

Contact your municipality for help.

You can also find a budget and debt advisor
in your municipality via the Swedish Consumer Agency.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Do you need support to get
or keep a home?

Contact the social services.
They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website. 

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.
This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?

You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could be, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.

Are you afraid of someone close to you?
Are you being hurt by someone who is close to you?

This could be

• your partner
• a parent
• a sibling
• a relative
• or anyone else close to you.

Threats and violence are never okay.

You can get support from the social services.

The mission of the social services

The work of the social services is governed by the Social Services Act.

The goal is for people in the municipality to have

• financial security
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services can also help those
who are subjected to violence in close relationships.

What is violence in close relationships? 

This violence can involve

• being pushed, hit or kicked
• being threatened or called demeaning names
• being controlled or harassed,
  including via your mobile or social media
• being forced to have sex
• being denied control of your money
• having your things broken.

You can get protection

If someone threatens you
or hurts you,
you can get protection.

The social services can arrange protected accommodation.

This is a place where you can stay, where you can be safe.

Where you and your children can get support
and start a life that is free from violence.

You can also get help
to arrange new accommodation.

You can get practical support

Violence affects all aspects of life.
You might need help in several ways.

The social services can help you with

• financial support
• contacting the Tax Agency
  if you need your personal details to be made confidential
• contacting health services
• making a police report.

If you have children,
you can get support in your parenting role
and help in dealing with the school or preschool.

You can get support to improve your wellbeing

It can be difficult to leave an abusive relationship.

You can talk to someone
at the social services.

Either alone
or accompanied by a support person.

You can also get in touch with
various organisations and women’s shelters.

They can provide both support and a sense of community.

Contact the social services in your municipality

Do you need protection or support?

Contact the social services.
They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

List of Swedish municipalities – SKR

Talk to someone directly

You can also contact a helpline.
The service is free of charge and you can remain anonymous.

National women’s helpline
For women who are subjected to violence
– physically, mentally or sexually.
Telephone: 116 016.
A chat function is also available.
National women’s helpline

Support line for transgender people 
For those who are trans or non-binary
and are subjected to violence in close relationships
or sexual abuse.
Telephone: 020-55 00 00.
A chat function is also available.
Support line for transgender people

Support line for men
For men who have been subjected to threats and violence
in close relationships
or sexual abuse. 
Telephone: 020-80 80 80.
A chat function is also available.
Support line for men

Right to choose
For those who are subjected to threats, control or other violence
in the name of protecting the family’s honour.
Telephone: 020-57 70 70.
Right to choose

BRIS helpline
For children up to 18 years old.
Telephone: 116 111.
You can also chat, email or text
around the clock, every day of the week.
BRIS helpline

If it is an emergency – call 112.

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.

This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?

You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could involve, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.

Are you concerned about another person?

Do you know someone who is being subjected to violence?

You can contact the social services
in your municipality.

You can also contact a helpline
for guidance and advice.

The help is free
and you can choose to remain anonymous.

Do you find it difficult to control your behaviour?
Are you hurting someone who is close to you?

This could be

• your partner
• a parent
• a sibling
• a relative
• or anyone else close to you.

Threats and violence are never okay.

You can get support from the social services
to stop using violence.

The mission of the social services

The work of the social services is governed by the Social Services Act.

The goal is for people in the municipality to have

• financial security
• support when they need it
• equal opportunities in life
• the opportunity to participate in society.

The social services can also help
those who use violence against people who are close to them
so that the violence can end.

What is violence in close relationships?

This violence can involve

• pushing, hitting or kicking someone
• threatening someone or saying mean things
• forcing someone to have sex
• preventing someone from controlling their own money
• deciding who a person is able to meet
  or what clothes they can wear
• breaking someone’s possessions.

Violence makes the victim
become scared and feel unsafe.

You can change your behaviour

It is always possible for someone to change their behaviour.
The first step is to seek help.

Many feel a sense of guilt, shame and anxiety.
Seeking help shows that you care.

What kind of support is available?

The social services can help you in different ways
that enable you to change your behaviour.

You can get, for example

• help to understand your emotions
  and resolve difficult situations
  without violence
• treatment that helps you to change your behaviour
• support to have a better relationship with your family
• help if you have problems with alcohol, drugs or addiction. 

Contact the social services in your municipality

Would you like help to change your behaviour
or to get more information?

Many municipalities have services
for those who want to stop using violence. 

Contact the social services.
They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

List of Swedish municipalities – SKR

Talk to someone directly

You can also contact the Choose to Stop helpline.

This is a national helpline
for those who want to stop using violence
against their loved ones.

You can call or use the chat function.
The service is free of charge and you can remain anonymous.

Choose to stop

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
when you need it.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.

This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?

You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could involve, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.

Do you want to leave a criminal
or violent environment?

It is never too late to change your life.

You can get support and help
from the social services.

The mission of the social services

The work of the social services is governed by the Social Services Act.

They can provide you with support and help
according to what you need.

They can also help you
if you want to leave a life of crime behind.

Protection and support

You can get support and protection
if you want to leave a criminal environment.

You can get, for example

• support to stop committing crimes
• help to get into work or education
• support and treatment
  if you have problems with alcohol or drugs
• help with debt
• advice on how you can
  get better control over your finances
• protected accommodation if you are being threatened
• financial assistance if you can’t make ends meet.

Working together for your safety

The social services often cooperate with others
to ensure that you get the support and protection you need.

This could be, for example

• the police
• healthcare
• psychiatry
• Public Employment Service
• The Enforcement Agency.

Support and protection for family members

Are you close to someone who is
involved in crime?

This can be a source of anxiety and fear.

Being close to someone who is involved in crime
can also be a risk.

You can get support and protection if

• your child or partner is involved in crime
• someone close to you is on the path to crime
• someone close to you is entering an extreme and violent environment
• you or your family are under threat.

You can get support from the social services or the healthcare system.
In some cases, the police can also help.

Do you need help?
Contact the social services.
They can tell you what support is available where you live.

You can find contact details
on your municipality’s website.

If it is an emergency – call 112.

What information can the social services share with others?

The social services are not usually allowed to say anything about you
if you have not agreed to this.

In some cases, however, they do need to talk to
other authorities,
such as the police.

Do you need an interpreter?

The social services shall use interpreters
where necessary.

They shall also translate important documents
so that you can understand them
if you do not speak Swedish.

The same applies
if you have a disability
that makes it difficult for you to see, hear or speak.

Please tell us in advance
if you need an interpreter.

Do you need a support person?

You can bring a support person
to meetings with the social services.

This could be a friend or someone in your family.

Sometimes, the social services are not permitted to
talk about everything when a support person is present,
to protect your information.

Do you need a representative?

You can also have a representative.

This is a person who can talk on your behalf,
with your permission.

This is called a power of attorney.

This could be, for example

• someone in your family
• a friend
• a lawyer.