What’s the difference between Child Benefit in Brussels prior to and after 2020: new legislation and photo amount.
The Child Benefit scheme in Brussels was revised with effect from 01/01/2020. If you were receiving Child Benefit prior to 2020, then a transitional measure currently applies. This means that you’ll continue to receive the same amount as before, providing that the new amount is less than the old one. In other words, you’ll always receive the higher amount. We refer to that higher amount as the ‘photo amount’.
We’ll continue to pay this photo amount until the amount calculated in the new scheme is the same or higher.
When will this amount be re-evaluated?
The photo amount is re-evaluated upon changes to your family circumstances:
- A child is born
- A child leaves the family
- A child is no longer entitled to Child Benefit
- A child is suspended (for example: a student working more than 240 hours per quarter)
- An entitlement to supplementary allowance applies
These transitional measures apply for 5 years with effect from 1/1/2020.
Want to know how much Child Benefit you’re entitled to? Then take a look at My KidsLife, your online Child Benefit file from KidsLife
Difference between the photo amount and the new Child Benefit amount
These measures can sometimes be confusing. We’ve therefore endeavoured to explain them more clearly in the 2 examples below:
Example 1: A family with 4 children that was receiving Child Benefit prior to 2020.
This is the calculation that’s used to determine the higher amount.
|
Calculation rules prior to 2020 |
Calculation rules from 2020 |
||
|
Child 1 |
97.72 |
Child 1 |
142.8 |
|
Child 2 |
180.81 |
Child 2 |
142.8 |
|
Child 3 |
269.96 |
Child 3 |
142.8 |
|
Child 4 |
269.96 |
Child 4 |
142.8 |
|
Total |
818.45 |
Total |
572.2 |
The amount of 818.45 (the photo amount) is higher than the other amounts.
A child is born on 15/02/2020. We compare the 'photo' to the new amounts resulting from the birth of the fifth child.
|
Calculation rules prior to 2020 |
Calculation rules from 2020 |
||
|
Child 1 |
97.72 |
Child 1 |
142.80 |
|
Child 2 |
180.81 |
Child 2 |
142.80 |
|
Child 3 |
269.96 |
Child 3 |
142.80 |
|
Child 4 |
269.96 |
Child 4 |
142.80 |
|
Child 5 |
142.80 |
||
|
Total |
818.45 |
Total |
714 |
Here too, the amount of 818.45 is higher than the other amounts.
The transitional measure based on 4 children remains higher than the new Child Benefit amount.
The family therefore continues to receive the 'photo amount.' Whilst it might look like the 5th child doesn’t receive any Child Benefit, nothing could be further from the truth.
Example 2: Standard Child Benefit was paid up until the transition on 1/1/2020, as both parents work. 1,088.41 euros was paid for the month of December.
|
Calculation rules prior to 2020 |
Calculation rules from 2020 |
||
|
Child 1 |
97.72 |
Child 1 |
142.80 |
|
Child 2 |
180.81 |
Child 2 |
142.80 |
|
Child 3 |
269.96 |
Child 3 |
142.80 |
|
Child 4 |
269.96 |
Child 4 |
142.80 |
|
Child 5 |
269.96 |
Child 5 |
142.80 |
|
Total |
1088.41 |
Total |
714.00 |
The photo amount of 1,088.41 is therefore higher.
This family is eligible for the Social Allowance due to a low income. An investigation reveals that from 1/1/2020 their income falls within ceiling 2 (between 31,620 euros and 45,900 euros per annum).
|
Calculation rules prior to 2020 |
Calculation rules from 2020 |
||
|
Child 1 |
97.72 |
Child 1 |
142.80+73.44 |
|
Child 2 |
180.81 |
Child 2 |
142.80+73.44 |
|
Child 3 |
269.96 |
Child 3 |
142.80+73.44 |
|
Child 4 |
269.96 |
Child 4 |
142.80+73.44 |
|
Child 5 |
269.96 |
Child 5 |
142.80+73.44 |
|
Total |
1088.41 |
Total |
1081.20 |
Although their income has decreased and the family is entitled to a Social Allowance, the transitional measure on the standard scale remains higher than the amounts under the new legislation. These families don’t receive a COVID premium either, yet continue to receive the highest possible amount.
Got questions related to your Child Benefit? Then please contact your KidsLife adviser.
See our frequently asked questions
Child Benefit is always paid on the 8th of each month. If the 8th falls on a weekend, then we will pay it on the last working day prior to that weekend. Please check our payment calendar for the various payment dates.
The maximum age for Child Benefit and Growth Package entitlement is 25 years. From the age of 18 upwards, you must satisfy certain criteria in order to retain your Child Benefit and Growth Package entitlement. No regular or automatic substitute applies once your entitlement to Child Benefit has ceased. If your child was entitled to a Care Allowance due to a specific support requirement, then they may be entitled to a Disability Allowance once their Child Benefit entitlement has ceased. Please note that this is not an automatic entitlement. It must be requested and the application subsequently investigated.
Grandparents can receive Child Benefit for their grandchildren if they are registered at their address. This is on the condition that the parents are not registered at this same address.
The maximum Growth Package and Child Benefit entitlement is up to and including the month of your 25th birthday. The final payment will therefore take place at the beginning of the month following your 25th birthday. Please note that from the age of 18 upwards you must satisfy a number of criteria in order to retain your Child Benefit entitlement.
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