Self-employed mother (to-be)? Explore your benefits here!
As a self-employed mother (to-be), you likely have lots of questions pertaining to the financial repercussions. Did you know that the self-employed are also entitled to numerous benefits? We’ve listed these for your convenience.
Benefit 1: Apply for your Starting Amount or Maternity Allowance
What is a Starting Amount or Maternity Allowance?
All new mums are entitled to a one-off birth premium. If you live in Flanders, that premium is called the Starting Amount. If you live in Brussels or Wallonia, you receive a Maternity Allowance.
How much does the premium amount to?
For every child born in Flanders, you receive 1214,49 euros. In Brussels, parents receive 1288,87 euros upon the birth of their first child (per child in the case of a multiple birth) and 585,85 euros for a subsequent birth. For every child born in Wallonia, you receive 1288,87 euros
When can you request the premium?
You can request the Starting Amount as soon as you fall pregnant. You can do that quickly and easily online here. You will receive the money approximately two months prior to your expected delivery date. You can submit an application up to a maximum of five years following the birth.
Benefit 2: You are entitled to the Growth Package or Child Benefit
What is a Growth Package?
Every child in Flanders is entitled to a Growth Package. Amongst other things, this includes a family allowance, which you reliably receive on a monthly basis, just like the former Child Benefit. If you have applied for your Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount then you will receive this automatically.
Those living in Wallonia and Brussels receive Child Benefit. This also includes a monthly amount that you automatically receive following your application for the Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount.
What does a Growth Package or Child Benefit comprise?
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Monthly Amount |
Social Allowance |
Childcare Allowance |
Toddler Allowance |
School Bonus or School Premium |
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Flanders |
Children born after 1 January 2019: 163.20 euros. Children born prior to 1 January 2019: check the amount via the my KidsLife online customer portal.
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For children attending a childcare facility recognised by the Flemish Community and whose parents pay an income-related rate. |
For toddlers who attend a Dutch-language school in Flanders or Brussels. (automatic payment) |
Annual bonus for school-age children. (automatic payment) |
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Wallonia |
The amount depends on
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For children attending a childcare facility recognised by the Flemish Community and whose parents pay an income-related rate.
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For toddlers who attend a Dutch-language school in Flanders or Brussels.
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Annual bonus for school-age children. (automatic payment)
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Brussels |
The amount depends on
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For children attending a childcare facility recognised by the Flemish Community and whose parents pay an income-related rate.
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For toddlers who attend a Dutch-language school in Flanders or Brussels.
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Annual bonus for school-age children. (automatic payment)
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Please note, the School Bonus or School Premium is not the same as a School Allowance. A Study Allowance is an education allowance for minor children in low-income families. It is paid automatically, providing your family is entitled to it.
Benefit 3: Take advantage of Maternity Leave
Maternity Leave for the self-employed can be arranged as follows:
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Maternity Leave |
Benefit |
How can it be taken? |
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12 weeks (multiple birth: 13 weeks) |
Full-time Maternity Leave? In this case you will receive 499.54 euros per week |
You may stop working 3 weeks prior to your delivery at the earliest |
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Does your baby need to stay in hospital following the birth? After seven days, you are entitled to 1 additional week per week in hospital. (max. 24 weeks) |
Working Half-Time? You will receive 249.77 euros per week. |
You are obliged to take 1 week prior to your delivery |
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You are obliged to take 2 weeks immediately following your delivery |
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You may take the remaining nine weeks on a half-time basis. |
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You must take your Maternity Leave within 38 weeks of the birth at the latest. |
You can read exactly how it works on the website of CM Health Insurance Fund
Tip!
- Provide your health insurance fund with a medical certificate (containing the expected delivery date and the date on which you wish to commence taking your Maternity Leave) as promptly as possible.
- Stop working from the date that your Maternity Leave commences.
- Provide your health insurance fund with a medical certificate or a copy of the birth certificate as soon after the birth as possible.
Is your partner also self-employed?
Fathers and co-mothers are entitled to paternity/partner leave, regardless of whether they are employed or self-employed. Self-employed partners are entitled to a maximum of twenty full or forty half days of paternity/partner leave. They can take this up to four months following the birth. They will receive a benefit from their social insurance fund for those days on which they do not attend work. They can also opt for 8 days (or 16 half days) of leave. In this case they will receive 15 free service vouchers.
Tip! Apply for your paternity/partner leave benefit in plenty of time. That way, you won’t have to wait too long for your benefit payment.
Benefit 4: You receive Maternity Assistance
Apply for Maternity Care
You can apply for Maternity Care as soon as you fall pregnant. You can submit your doctor's certificate once you are six months pregnant. This applies to mothers in paid employment and self-employed mothers alike.
Free service vouchers
Did you know that self-employed mothers are entitled to an additional benefit? If you return to work following your Maternity Leave, you will receive 105 free service vouchers. Their total value amounts to 945 euros. You can use these for domestic help, such as cleaning, washing, ironing, shopping and preparing meals.
How can you apply for the vouchers?
You will receive the service vouchers automatically. Thus you needn’t submit an application for this. Your social insurance fund will contact you if you are entitled to the vouchers.
Benefit 5: These are your social security benefits
Exemption from social security contributions
If you are receiving maternity benefit as a self-employed person, then you will receive an exemption from social security contributions in the first quarter following the birth. However, you will still retain your social security entitlements. This means that you retain your entitlement to the Growth Package, Starting Amount, Statutory Pension, Health Insurance and so on. You will receive the exemption automatically.
Premium waiver for your supplementary pension
Got a Supplementary Pension for the Self-Employed? Then you can now reap the benefits. Many insurers provide a generous new-born baby gift in the form of waiving your supplementary pension premiums for two quarters.
Some hospitalisation insurance policies pay (a portion of) your hospital costs. We recommend contacting your hospitalisation insurance provider to check which benefits your policy offers.
Pregnant? Request your Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount and we’ll make sure that you don't miss out on any entitlements.