If you are part of the Belgian social security system (working as an employee or as a self-employed) you should be entitled to receive monthly family allowance payments (“allocations familiales”-“kinderbijslag”) for each child in your household.
The family allowances (“allocations familiales-kinderbijslag”), governmental aid dedicated to families with dependent children, is - by the 6th State Reform - ruled by the regions and no longer by the federal government. This means that for all questions and requests related to your family allowances, you can liaise with the following organisations:
In the Brussels Region, family allowances can be paid by one of five family allowance funds. One is public, Famiris, which is part of Iriscare, while the other four are private funds: Infino, Parentia, Brussels Family and Kidslife.
All the funds are legally obliged to pay you the amount to which you are entitled on the same payment date. The various forms of assistance will therefore be identical from one fund to another. Your choice may be based on a number of criteria, such as the proximity of a counter to your home, the ease of reaching them through different channels, or the specific features of each family allowance fund. We advise you to consult their respective websites to make an informed choice.
The person who brings up the child at home is eligible for child benefit. This entitlement is allocated in the following order:
- the partner of the mother/father
- one of the grandparents of the child (if part of the household)
- an uncle or aunt of the child (if part of the household)
- a brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister
If no person is eligible for child benefit, entitlement may be attributed to any beneficiary who has obtained dispensation from the FPS Social Security.
The recipient is the person who receives the child benefit and who uses it for the child’s education. In this respect, the government has issued precise regulations.
The general rule is that the mother receives payment of the child benefit. However, there are exceptions:
In view of the wide variety of cases, don’t hesitate to contact your assigned personal manager for more information.
First of all, it is essential to apply (in advance) for the birth allowance. Regarding the family allowances itself, complete a form (available from your health insurance organisation) to request the child benefits, which is available from the child benefit fund with which your employer is affiliated, or, if you are self-employed, to your social insurance fund. Do not forget to enclose the document received from the local authority when you registered your child (specific birth certificate for applying for family allowances).
If both parents work for a European institution it will become their institution's responsibility. When their child is born, the parents will automatically receive child benefits.
If one parent works in the Belgian system (as employee or self-employed) and the other works for a European institution, the parents are not entitled to receive any EU allowance. However, the child can receive supplementary cover from the institution, after deduction of the amount already received under Belgian law.