The Brussels child benefit system until 2019: the old system

The old child benefit system was applicable in Brussels until the end of 2019. At the beginning of 2020, a new Brussels model has been introduced that applies to all children in Brussels, including children born before 2020.

However, for children born before 1 January 2020, you keep your old amount if this is more advantageous for your family than the amount in the new system. This means that you do not receive less child benefit than you were entitled to at the end of 2019.

Parentia also compares the amounts between both systems every month and will automatically apply the new system if it is more advantageous for your family. However, once you've switched to the new system, you can't go back to the old one.

Other innovations in Brussels from 2020:

The rules for granting social supplements under the new system apply. These now also apply to all low-income families, and not only in the event of unemployment, disability or single-parent families. This might entitle you to a supplement, whereas before 2020 this was not the case.
The surviving parent who cohabits or remarries retains his or her right to orphans supplement.
The entitlement to child benefit expires after 3 years (and no longer after 5 years).

Learn all about your child benefit

The old Brussels child benefit system in figures:

New amounts valid starting March 2020 (= paid in the beginnen of April)

brith or adoption allowance

first child*

€ 1297,92
2nd child and next

€ 976,53

* birth of the first child of the father and/or mother, and per child in the event of multiple birth or adoption

Child benefit

1st child

€ 97,72
2nd child

€ 180,81
3rd child and next

€ 269,96
if orphan of one* or both parents

€ 375,39

* if the surviving parent does cohabit again

Age bonus

1st child (if no increased child benefit)

from the age of 6
+ € 17,02

from the age of 12
+ € 25,92

from the age of 18
+ € 29,88
all other children

from the age of 6
+ €33,95

from the age of 12
+ €51,87

from the age of 18
+ €65,95

Social bonus

in case of long-term unemployment and pensioners

1st child
+ € 49,74

2nd child
+ € 30,83

3rd child and next
+ € 5,41
in case of long-term illness or incapacity for work

1st child
+ € 107,03

2nd child
+ € 30,83

3rd child and next
+ € 5,41
for single-parent families

1st child
+ € 49,74

2nd child
+ € 30,83

3rd child and next
+ € 24,86

Care bonus

foster child

+ € 65,57

child with disorder/disabilities:

POINTS	AMOUNT
4 to 5 points (at least 4 points in pillar 1)	€ 85,69
6 to 8 points (less than 4 points in pillar 1)	€ 114,13
6 to 8 points (at least 4 points in pillar 1)	€ 439,61
9 to 11 points (less than 4 points in pillar 1)	€ 266,32
9 to 11 points (at least 4 points in pillar 1)	€ 439,61
12 to 14 points	€ 439,61
15 to 17 points	€ 499,87
18 to 20 points	€ 535,58
more than 20 points	€ 571,28

Annual school premium valid starting 1st of january 2020

0 - 2 years old:

€ 20,40/year per child
3 - 5 years old:

€ 20,40/year per child in pre school
6 - 11 years old:

€ 30,60/year per child
12 - 24 years old:

€ 51,00/year per child
or € 81,60/year per child from the age of 18 if the child attends higher education

Annual school premium valid until 31st of december 2020

children 0-5 years

child without bonus
+ € 21.23

child with bonus
+ € 29.29
children 6-11 years

child without bonus
+ € 45,63

child with bonus
+ € 62,17
children 12 - 18 years

child without bonus
+ € 63,67

child with bonus
+ € 87,04
children 12 -24 years

child without bonus
+ € 84,89

child with bonus
+ € 117,17

Need help or advice?

Feel free to contact us! We will help you as soon as possible, so your family won't have to miss out on anything.