All allowances in child benefit
The child benefit (Groeipakket) onsists of a one-off maternity allowance (Starting amount) and the monthly basic fee (basic amount) for each child. In addition, child benefit features a range of extra premiums or allowances so your child benefit will be as unique as your family’s needs.
Participation allowances for childcare and education
Learn it young, learn it well. It’s important to send children to childcare or nursery school from an early age. But education costs money – so it’s not always straightforward. In order to encourage childcare and education, the child benefit offers additional premiums, such as participation allowances to give families that little bit extra in their time of need.
- School bonus
Every child entitled to child benefit is also entitled to the annual school bonus or universal participation allowance in August. You’ll receive the school bonus regardless of whether your child is already in school or not. A handy allowance for buying a lovely pencil case and any notebooks at the end of the summer holidays, which increases each year as your child gets older. Read more about the school bonus here.
- Childcare allowance
If your child attends a Dutch-speaking childcare centre care fees aren’t linked to your income, you’ll receive a childcare allowance to give you a helping hand. You’ll receive €3.36 for each full day your child spends at the childcare centre.
- Toddlers’ allowance
If you’ve got a three-year-old at home and they attend nursery school, you’ll receive a one-off toddlers’ allowance of €135.25 to help you cover the school costs. And if their attendance was high enough when they were three, you’ll receive a further €135.25 when they turn four.
- Education allowance
Children who attend nursery, primary or secondary school may be entitled to an education allowance. The government wants to support families to cover school costs if they’re experiencing financial difficulties.
Make sure, however, that you don’t confuse the education allowance with the school bonus that every child receives in August.
Additional allowances in the Groeipakket may include a little extra
Some families receive additional allowances in child benefit (Groeipakket). These include care allowances for orphans, foster children and children who need extra support. Furthermore, there are social allowances based on your family income. Because when life isn’t all rosy, child benefit offers additional support. We’ve listed the additional allowances for you here.
- Social allowances for low-income families
Child benefit supports families who may be experiencing financial difficulties with a social allowance. This additional allowance depends on the number of children in your family and your family income. The government hopes that this allowance will help to eliminate child poverty.
- Orphan’s allowance
Sometimes, children may lose one or both parents. To provide financial support to these children, they receive (half of) an orphan’s allowance in the Groeipakket. This allowance will be received on top of the basic amount.
- Care allowance for children with a specific support need
If your child has been ill for a long time or needs additional support due to a mental or physical condition, the care allowance in child benefit (Groeipakket) can provide some financial relief.
- Foster care allowance
At the end of 2019, 7,756 children, young people and foster children lived with a foster family (source: Pleegzorg Vlaanderen). The Groeipakket provides a foster care allowance for children who are placed with a foster family either temporarily or on a long-term basis. Depending on the type of foster care, we pay the allowance of €65.58 to the parents or foster family.
Almost 1,000 children are still waiting for a warm, loving home. If you’d like to foster a child be sure to check out www.pleegzorgvlaanderen.be for more information.
Confused
If you’re not sure what allowances you’re entitled to or eligible for, don’t worry! The Groeipakket coaches will be happy to help, so feel free to get in touch.
