Startbedrag: Birth Allowance for expectant parents.
What is the Startbedrag (Maternity Allowance)?
The Startbedrag is the unique premium that you receive upon giving birth to a child.
In Flanders, the allowance is 1214,49 Euro for each child.
In order to pay your Startbedrag, we require a certificate from your doctor specifying the expected delivery date. However, you can still apply, even if you don’t yet have a doctor’s certificate in your possession. We’ll send you a reminder when it’s time to provide us with this certificate.
- All children born in Belgium are entitled to this one-off premium.
- You can apply for your Startbedrag during your pregnancy.
- You’ll receive the payment 2 months prior to the expected delivery date.
- Applying online is quick and easy.
5 months pregnant
7 months pregnant
My baby has been born
Everything you need to know about the Startbedrag
When should I apply for the Startbedrag (Maternity Allowance)?
The choice is up to you! But at KidsLife Child Benefit Fund, you can apply right from the very start of your pregnancy.
In order to pay out your Startbedrag, we require a doctor's certificate confirming that you’ve been pregnant for 5 months (approximately 22 weeks). However, you don't need to supply this certificate with your initial application; we’ll send you a reminder when it's time to request it from your doctor. So feel free to submit your Startbedrag right away.
What’s the difference between the Startbedrag, Maternity Allowance and Birth Premium?
These terms basically all mean the same thing: a premium that parents receive when expecting a baby or upon the birth of their child.
The eligibility, payment amounts and names differ according to the region in which you live:
- If you live in Flanders then it’s called the Startbedrag.
- If you live in Brussels or Wallonia then we still use the term Maternity Allowance.
The KidsLife Child Benefit Fund ensures that you automatically receive everything you are entitled to! Submit your request online and we’ll take care of the timely payment of your Startbedrag or Maternity Allowance.
Payment of your Startbedrag
KidsLife ensures the timely payment of your Starting Amount or Maternity Allowance. You’ll receive your Startbedrag at the earliest 2 months prior to the expected delivery date, provided that we’ve received a doctor's certificate.
Ready for the birth of your little one? Our handy checklist brimming with useful tips will help you survive those first few weeks!
Receive Maternity Fee before birth?
Apply for your Startbedrag at KidsLife today. We’ll ensure the accurate and timely payment of your benefits.
Why choose KidsLife?
Satisfaction
Our customers give us a 4,5 out of 5 rating.
Expertise
Each month, we provide prompt and accurate payment to more than 400,000 children throughout Belgium.
Accessibility
Our local KidsLife advisers are readily accessible. Your personal file is also available online via My KidsLife 24 hours a day.
Do I have to apply for Startbedrag or Groeipakket?
The Startbedrag is a part of the Groeipakket (the new Child Benefit in Flanders). The Startbedrag is paid once before or after the birth of your child. The Groeipakket is paid monthly.
If you apply for the Startbedrag, then you’ll automatically receive the Groeipakket following the birth of your baby. This means that you don't need to submit an additional application.
Is your child already born? And you do not yet receive a Groeipakket AND you haven’t applied for a Startbedrag? Then you can submit an application for the Groeipakket. The KidsLife Child Benefit Fund ensures that you never miss out on any benefits.
A baby on the way?
Are you pregnant or have you recently become a new mum or dad? Then you can request the Startbedrag. You’ll receive this one-off premium upon the birth of your little one.
Following the birth, you’ll automatically receive monthly Groeipakket payments.
I already have children but am not yet receiving the Growth Package.
Your baby has been born. Congratulations! What should you arrange following the birth?
Already applied for your Startbedrag (Maternity Allowance)?
Excellent, your job is done! We'll receive notification that your baby has been born via your municipal authority and automatically commence payment of your Groeipakket.
Curious about how much Groeipakket you’ll receive? Calculate your amount here.
Haven’t yet applied for your Startbedrag?
You may still be entitled to the Startbedrag, even after the birth of your child. Submit your application online and we’ll quickly deposit this amount into your bank account.
Since your baby has already been born, we’ll also commence payment of your Groeipakket. This is all automatically arranged following your application for the Startbedrag.
Frequently asked questions
Congratulations on your pregnancy! You’re entitled to a one-off premium for your future child. This is called the Starting Amount, and is also known as the Maternity Allowance or Birth Premium.
Applying for a Starting Amount from KidsLife is quick and easy. And the payment will be deposited into your bank account prior to the birth of your child.
- To process your Starting Amount application, we require the the mother-to-be’s personal details and the expected delivery date.
- In order to pay the Starting Amount prior to your baby’s birth, we also ask you to supply a doctor’s certificate stating that you’re at least 5 months pregnant.
You can submit an application here.
Apply for your Starting Amount
Pregnant? Congratulations! You can apply for a Starting Amount or Maternity Allowance right at the very onset of your pregnancy. The expectant mother’s details are the sole requirement for submitting an application. If you would like to receive the Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount prior to the birth of your child, then we also require a doctor's certificate specifying the expected delivery date.
This depends on when you submit your application!
After the birth
Does your application concern the birth of your first child? Then you will receive your Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount via one of our weekly payments as soon after submitting your request as possible.
Does the application concern the birth of your second or subsequent child? You will receive your Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount once we have received the birth notification from the municipality.
Between 7 and 9 months of pregnancy
We will pay the Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount via one of our weekly payments as soon after submitting your request as possible.
From onset to the 7th month of pregnancy
You will receive the Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount 2 months prior to your expected delivery date. We make the payments once per week.
If the application concerns the birth of your first child, then you can submit your request online or send the birth certificate to KidsLife.
What if the application does not concern the birth of your first child and you are already a KidsLife customer? Good news! In this scenario, you needn't submit an application and we will commence payment of your Starting Amount or Maternity Allowance as soon as possible.
A stillborn child may still be entitled to the Maternity Allowance. You can arrange this by reporting the stillborn child to the municipality in the first instance. In fact, this is mandatory if the pregnancy lasted more than 180 days. Once you have submitted the certificate, you need take no further action.
