Everything you need to know about child benefit in Brussels
Child benefit?
The child benefit is an amount that you, as a parent, receive each month to care for and bring up your child(ren). As of 1 January 2019, each region in Belgium has its own child benefit system, with its own amounts and rules.
What does the child benefit consist of?
- You receive a one-off start amount at the birth of your child.
- You receive a monthly amount per child
- You may be entitled to supplements depending on your situation
Pregnant?
Congratulations! File the application for your birth allowance right now! You can receive your maternity allowance up to two months before the assumed date of birth.
From now on, you decide for yourself which child benefit fund will pay your child benefit.
The child benefit is paid every month on the 1st work day. Take a look here if you want to know the exact payment date of your child benefit
Calculate child benefit
The calculation of the child benefit depends on the date of birth of your child and the regional system to which your child belongs (based on your child's place of residence). This means that you will not receive the same amount as child benefit everywhere in Belgium.
Does your child live abroad? Then the location of your employer will determine which region your child falls within. If your children live in different regions, you will receive child benefit from different regional systems.
Brussels child benefit until 2019
Up to and including 2019, the old child benefit system was to be applied in Brussels.
Brussels child benefit from 2020
The new Brussels model entered into force in 2020 and it applies to all Brussels children, including those born before 2020. As from 1 January 2020, all children living in Brussels will therefore receive the amounts of the new Brussels system.
If the new Brussels model is less advantageous than the amounts you received via the old Brussels system, you will keep the amount from the old system for children born before 1 January 2020. This means that you will not receive less child benefit than you were entitled to in Brussels at the end of 2019.
Every month Parentia compares the amounts of both systems and will automatically apply the new system as soon as it is more advantageous for your family.
Apply for child benefit
Who should apply for child benefit?
Whereas in the past your child benefit application was made through your employer, now you have to apply for your child benefit yourself. The person who effectively raises the child (usually the mother) must make the application. Have you applied for the maternity allowance yet? Then your child benefit will start up automatically. However, have you moved to the Brussels-Capital Region from abroad or from another Belgian region? Don't forget to apply for your Brussels child benefit at Parentia.
Pregnant right now?
Then apply as soon as possible for your maternity allowance or birth premium by submitting an application on-line or via a paper form. If you follow the steps in our practical tool, this will be done in no time!
After that, your child benefit will be paid automatically.
Child benefit supplements
Since the introduction of the new Brussels child benefit legislation, each child receives a fixed basic amount between 164,04€ and 199,19€ per month per child, depending on the number of children and their age. Based on your family income and family situation, this amount can be increased. But what kind of increase are we talking about? What are the required conditions and who is entitled to said supplements? And what about procedures? You will find a brief overview hereunder:
- Social supplement: monthly supplement for low-income families.
- Schooling premium: annual age allowance to cover school costs.
- Child with disorder: financial assistance for children with a disability or condition that requires extra support.
- Orphans supplement: monthly support for children who lose one or both parents.
- Childcare, preschooling and schooling supplement: allowances for Brussels children who go to a Dutch-speaking child care or school.
Choosing a child benefit fund
You can choose who will pay your maternity allowance and child benefit in Brussels. If you choose Parentia, you will rest assured. We will help you with your family administration, so you won't overlook anything. This way, we will make sure your child doesn't lack for anything!
Pregnant? Then quickly apply for your maternity benefit through our practical tool.
Would you like to join the Parentia family, but is your child benefit paid by another child benefit fund? Good news: today you and your family can switch to the Parentia child benefit fund. However, you must have been a customer for at least 2 years with your current child benefit fund
Join us now!
Family situation
Your family situation and your child's situation can influence the amount of the child benefit and the person receiving it.
Family
Has your family situation changed as a result of one of the following situations? Then contact Parentia for more information.
- Move
- Family size
- Cohabitation en marriage
- Separation en divorce
- Single or single parent family
- Abroad: what to do when you come to work in Belgium or when you work abroad
Child
Up until the age of 18, your child is entitled to the basic amount of the child benefit, without any conditions and in certain special situations possibly also to certain supplements. Once your child has reached the age of majority, this right is subject to a number of conditions. Does one of these special situations apply to your child? Or maybe you want to know the conditions children between 18 and 25, students, or youngsters in search of a job are subject to? Then take a look at our specific info pages. Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Feel free to ask your question via our contact page.
- Adoption
- Age allowance
- Disability or disorder
- Placement in an institution
- Foster care
- Abducted or missing children
- Study and education
- Working as a young person
- Job seeker after studies
- Young person having his own address
Questions?
Do you have any practical questions about child benefit or the new child benefit? Take a look at our frequently asked questions page. Here you will find answers to questions such as 'When will I receive my child benefit?', 'How do I change my account number?', ...
Are you looking for a specific document or form? Then go to the 'Forms' page.
