The Minister for Social Integration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, plans to issue a decree revising the qualification requirements for social workers employed in Public Social Welfare Centres (CPAS) in the next few weeks.
The aim of the revision is to enable more people to work in the CPAS and streamline the processing of cases involving individuals excluded from unemployment benefits.
CPAS across the country have often voiced concern about the impending limitation of unemployment benefits, expected to be voted on in parliament within the next fortnight.
They fear being overwhelmed by a surge of individuals disqualified from unemployment support, as they are already often overburdened in major cities.
The anxiety is especially pronounced in Brussels and Wallonia, which, according to recent statistics, are projected to be more affected than Flanders.
“Before the summer holidays, I will amend the royal decree on educational requirements for social workers,” Minister Van Bossuyt announced on RTL Info Signatures. “I shall transfer this authority to the Regions to ensure that handling these cases is not restricted to individuals with a social work degree.”
She said she would also collaborate with her colleagues, Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs, David Clarinval and Frank Vandenbroucke, to alleviate the workload of the CPAS.
These centres have become the first point of contact for citizens seeking various benefits, especially unemployment and health-related insurance benefits, which account for 20% of their work, Minister Van Bossuyt noted.
