Frequently Asked Questions

Live in Flanders?

The proof of payment states that KidsLife pays Child Benefit for your child(ren) and to whom this is paid. The certificate exclusively states the name and date of birth of those children who are still entitled to Child Benefit. It’s not currently possible to create certificates specifying the actual amounts. In the context of the GDPR, the certificate does not contain any address details. 

Live in Brussels or Wallonia?

The proof of payment states that KidsLife pays Child Benefit for your child(ren) and to whom this is paid. The certificate exclusively states the name and date of birth of those children who are still entitled to Child Benefit. The last monthly amount paid may or may not appear on the certificate, depending on for which organisation you are requesting the certificate. In the context of the GDPR, the certificate does not contain any address details.

As per 01/01/2019, Child Benefit is known as the Growth Package in Flanders. The Growth Package contains many more allowances than the previous Child Benefit.

Thus, from 2019 onwards, you may also be entitled to a Childcare Allowance, Toddler Allowance and a Study Allowance, in addition to your basic Child Benefit.
If you earn less than a specific threshold amount, then you are still entitled to a supplementary allowance.

Additional allowances for children with a specific support need also remain available. 
Each family automatically receives the allowances to which they’re entitled.

Discover everything you need to know about the Growth Package here!

You form a de facto family if…
… you live with another person at the same address ...
…and you collectively contribute to the household finances ...
…and you’re not a relative up until the third degree ...

In other words, you cannot form a de facto family with your first-, second-, or third-degree relatives (or in-laws), such as your sister, stepbrother, dad, grandmother, or aunt.

You can therefore form a de facto family with your “cousin”. This implies the fourth-degree child of your aunt or uncle.

Thus you needn’t be married or legally cohabiting. Whether you are of the same or a different sex makes absolutely no difference.

Still unsure whether you form a de facto family? Then check this with your KidsLife adviser.

When to submit a Growth Package or Child Benefit application

1. You are new to Belgium and don’t yet receive your Child Benefit or Growth Package
2. You haven’t received Child Benefit or Growth Package payments for more than 1 year.

When NOT to submit a Growth Package or Child Benefit application

1. If you have already applied for the Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount from KidsLife. We automatically pay your Child Benefit and Growth Package following the birth of your child.
2. When moving home
3. If you already receive your Child Benefit or Growth Package in Belgium. Want to become a customer? You can become a KidsLife customer in no time!

Would you like to submit an application?

Apply online quickly and easily here!

If you have already applied for your Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount, then you will automatically receive your Child Benefit or Growth Package following the birth of your child. 
So you need no longer submit an application when your baby is born! Registering the birth of your child with the municipality where you live is sufficient. 

The exact timing of your Child Benefit or Growth Package payments depends on where you live. It’s important to note that your Child Benefit and Growth Package will be paid in the following month, just like your salary or benefits:

For example: you will receive your Child Benefit or Growth Package payments for the month of May around 8 June. 

Growth package in Flanders

You will receive your Growth Package from the month of birth onwards. 
For example: if your child was born on 2 March, you will receive your Growth Package from the month of March. The payment for the month of March occurs on 8 April. 

Child benefit in Brussels and Wallonia

You will receive your Child Benefit in the month following the birth:
For example: if your child was born on 2 March, you will receive your Child Benefit from the month of April. The payment for the month of April occurs on 8 May.

Haven’t yet applied for your Maternity Allowance or Starting Amount? 

Request this quickly and easily online at KidsLife! 

If your child resides in an institution, then 2/3 of their child benefit will be paid to the institution or the Agency responsible for the placement. The remaining 1/3rd of their child benefit can be paid to the beneficiary(ies), a specific individual or an escrow account in the child's name. This is determined according to the child’s individual situation. Your KidsLife adviser will perform the necessary in your file, based on the information received from the institution or agency responsible for the placement. 
Do you have any questions related to Child Benefit for children residing in an institution? Please contact your KidsLife adviser

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

KidsLife informeert je altijd als je minder Kinderbijslag of Groeipakket zou ontvangen. Dit kan verschillende redenen hebben. Contacteer je KidsLife-adviseur als je vragen zou hebben over het bedrag dat je ontvangt of bekijk je online dossier Groeipakket of Kinderbijslag via My KidsLife

The Childcare Allowance forms part of the Growth Package, the new Child Benefit in Flanders. Children who attend Dutch-speaking childcare in Flanders or Brussels may be entitled to this supplement of 3.23 euros per day. Only those childcare facilities that exempt you from payment based on your income are eligible for this. Read everything you need to know about the Childcare Allowance eligibility criteria here. 

The Toddler Allowance forms part of the Growth Package, the new Child Benefit in Flanders. All 3- or 4-year-old children who attend a Dutch-speaking school in Belgium (frequently enough) are entitled to this one-off premium.

If you live in Flanders, you will automatically receive this premium if you’re entitled to it.

If you don’t live in Flanders, then you must submit an application to KidsLife. 

Toddler Allowance payment is made following the child’s 3rd or 4th birthday.