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Maternity Allowance
Maternity allowance in Flanders
This amount is an important boost. You can use the money for everything your child needs. Will you use it to finish the nursery, fill the diaper bill or buy children's clothes? The choice is yours.
This amount is an important boost. You can use the money for everything your child needs. Will you use it to finish the nursery, fill the diaper bill or buy children's clothes? The choice is yours.
Maternity allowance: what is it?
There is a joyful event coming up in your family: the arrival of a child. What a miracle! To welcome this little one in the best possible way, you are entitled to certain assistance, including an amount of money from your payer (you can choose).
You may know that in Belgium, a payer gives a one-off premium to each child born on the territory. If you live in Flanders, since the regionalisation of 1 January 2019, this premium is called the "birth fee". Previously, the term 'maternity fee' was used. What do you need to know about the Start Amount? Here you will find the answers you are looking for.
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How much is the maternity allowance?
Whether it is your first child or not, the amount of this premium is € 1.238,78* per child. Are you expecting twins? Then you are entitled to twice € 1.238,78.
*This amount will be indexed annually on the first of september.
When is the maternity allowance payed?
The amount is paid 2 months before the birth, regardless of when you made the application.
Apply for the maternity allowanceWhen can I apply to the maternity allowance?
You can apply for the amount as soon as you are pregnant. You will then receive the starting amount at the earliest two months before the estimated date of delivery. A few conditions:
- The doctor's certificate you must send us may not be a certificate from the first 5 months of your pregnancy.
- You do not have a doctor's certificate yet? Send us your application anyway! We will remind you to send us the certificate.
- You have up to five years after the birth to apply for the amount
Who can apply for the maternity allowance?
Each (future) parent living in Flanders can apply for the starting amount.
- Are you a couple consisting of two mothers? The mother who is carrying the child must submit the application
- Do you work in Belgium but live abroad? Depending on your country of residence, you may be entitled to the start-up grant.
- Are you adopting a child? You are also entitled to the starting amount
How to apply for the maternity allowance?
You can easily apply for the maternity allowance by filling out an application form.
Child Benefit: What happens after the birth of your child?
As a parent, you are entitled to the monthly child benefit from the month your child is born. Have you already received your starting amount? Then you do not need to do anything anymore.
Who is entitled to a starting amount and the maternity allowance?
Every (future) parent living in Flanders can submit an application. The amount is paid
- for a first birth: to the pregnant mother,
- for a second and/or subsequent birth: to the bank account specified in the application.
Have you adopted a child? Then you are of course entitled to a "starting amount for adoption" (which is the amount provided for in the event of adoption). You just have to send us, together with your application, a copy of the national or foreign adoption application that was submitted to the competent court or, failing that, the foreign adoption decree.
Who has to make the application?
Adopted children
Have you adopted a child? If there is only one adopter or if only one of the two parents applies, the Start Amount will be deposited into that person's account. If both adoptive parents apply for the lump sum, the payment will be made to the account number of their choice. In case of disagreement, the youngest parent will receive the amount. You will find all the information together with the document to submit the application here.
Unborn children
The pregnant mother (or one of the parents if it does not concern the first child) submits the application to the payer of the Growth Packet of her choice. She fills out an application form with her details, possibly also the details of the dad or co-parent and, importantly, adds a medical certificate of pregnancy (see below for the conditions of validity).
Any questions?
Don't forget KInd en GEzin
Meet Kind en Gezin
Kind en Gezin wants to assist you and your child during the first three years of life by providing professional help, information and advice on development, health, education, nutrition, safety and much more.
To this end, a Kind en Gezin staff member can contact you during your pregnancy to get acquainted. So be sure to leave your mobile phone number or email address at Kind en Gezin.
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Request your starting amount (maternity allowance) in time: a push in the back!
To welcome your child in the best possible way, you need to get a few things in order and they can have a financial impact. Did you know that there is a starting amount to help your little one get started?
