Definitions
Allottee: means the person who is entitled to a family allowance through
his or her work (or similar). The allottee must also be related to the
beneficiary child. In most cases, it is the child’s father.
Recipient: is understood to mean the person to whom the family allowance
is actually paid. In most cases, this is the child’s mother.
Beneficiary: this is the child in respect of whom the family allowance is
paid.
Any employer who employs one or more people is subject to the legislation on
family allowance. He is obliged to become affiliated to a fund for salaried
employees of his choice within 90 days of the date of entry into service of the
first worker.
The worker must be employed in the service of an employer that is subject to
Belgian social security (ONSS). He must also be employed in Belgium in the
service of an employer or of a place of business established in Belgium or
abroad for an employer with a place of business in Belgium and unable to claim
FA in the country in which he works.
The employment must be on not less than a half-time basis.
Rate of Family Allowance
Two types of allowance are granted: family allowance proper and childbirth
allowance.
Family allowance
Who receives the family allowance?: The person who raises the child
receives the family allowance. If the child is raised by both parents, the
mother will have priority. Specific rules apply in the case of separation. From
the age of 16, the child can receive the family allowance himself.
Amount of family allowance: The amount paid each month depends on the
family and professional situation, the number of children, their ages and any
disabilities they may have. The ordinary family allowance at 1 October 2008
stands at EUR 83.40 for the first child, EUR 154.33 for the second one, and EUR
230.42 for each additional child.
For which children?: No condition applies to children until they are
18: they receive the family allowance up until 31 August of the year in which
they reach the age of majority. After the age of 18 and up until a maximum of 25
years, entitlement to family allowance is subject to certain conditions. The
young person must be in education and can only earn a limited income or work for
a certain number of hours.
Childbirth allowances
In order to be entitled to the childbirth allowance for salaried workers, a
person must work (or have worked) as a worker or employee in Belgium. All those
who are unemployed, on sick leave or retired after having worked are regarded as
‘salaried workers’ for the purpose of family allowance law.
Any child who provides an entitlement to a family allowance also provides an
entitlement to a childbirth allowance. The child’s birth rank determines the
amount of the childbirth allowance.
Text last edited on: 05/2009
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.
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