Family support organisations have urged Employment Minister David Clarinval to guarantee a lasting status for unpaid carers, warning that a temporary federal measure protecting them from the impact of unemployment reform will expire on 31 December.
In a joint statement, the Ligue des familles, the non-profits Aidants Proches and Inclusion, and the SUSA Foundation said carers still have no clear view of their future.
They warned that, as negotiations begin on the 2027 federal budget, action is needed now to prevent unpaid carers from being excluded from all forms of social protection and facing a sharp collapse in income.
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At the start of 2026, many carers had already raised the alarm over the risk of losing all financial support because of the reform introducing time limits on unemployment benefits.
A temporary solution was then agreed, allowing unpaid carers to extend their entitlement to unemployment benefit by 12 months, although at a reduced payment of €761 a month.
That period was meant to give the authorities time to negotiate a structural solution and create a proper status for all unpaid carers.
With the deadline now approaching, however, carers say no such solution has emerged.
The organisations also criticised recent remarks by Mr Clarinval in parliament, saying he appeared to shift responsibility to the regional authorities.
The voluntary sector said that social protection and replacement income remain federal responsibilities.
The organisations are calling for the creation of a properly paid status for unpaid carers that would prevent them from having to live below the poverty line.
Until such a system is in place, they said, it is the responsibility of Mr Clarinval and his government partners to extend unemployment rights for those affected.
