All you need the know about Maternity Allowance and Starting Amount
Applying for Maternity Allowance in Belgium
If you live in Flanders, you’ll receive the Growth Package. This comprises a monthly payment (the former Child Benefit) and a one-off amount that you receive upon the birth of your baby: the Starting Amount or Maternity Allowance. If you live in Brussels or Wallonia, you'll receive Child Benefit. You'll also receive Maternity Allowance upon the birth of your baby.
The Starting Amount provides a welcome financial boost that enables you to give your baby the best start in life.
How much is the Maternity Allowance?
Per child
1st birth
Subsequent birth
Per child
Hooray! There’s a baby on the way!
You’re 5 months pregnant
You’re 7 months pregnant
Your baby is born
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.
