Children who lose a parent will receive a higher orphan allowance from next year

Children who lose a parent will receive a higher orphan allowance from next year
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Children who lose a parent will receive a higher allowance starting from next year. The so-called 'half-orphan allowance' will rise from €86.6 to €138.56 per month, announced Minister of Welfare, Public Health and Family Hilde Crevits in a press release on Tuesday.

Since the child allowance reform in 2019, the Flemish Government gave less financial support to parents who lose their partners, which drew criticism. Although the former minister Wouter Beke initially stood firm, there will now be an increase after all.

From next year, the half-orphan allowance will go up from €86.6 to €138.56 per month, on top of the child benefit. This will apply to about 10,000 children. "They will see the allowance rise by more than €620 a year," said Crevits, who committed to finding additional resources in the Flemish Government's 2023 budget.

For the allowance, €10 million is planned in the multi-annual budget 2023-2027, by the end of 2027.

Pilot projects to ease the burden

The request for the increase came in part from Odos, an organisation which assists parents after the death of a partner, and singer Hannelore Bedert, who lost her partner and welcomes the review and states that it often happens during a time when child care is a big financial concern that a parent suddenly finds themselves alone.

"This review - which is very welcome for many peers - shows that we are recognised, that society considers our children as important as children who are lucky enough to still have both parents in their lives," said Bedert.

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From Flanders, pilot projects have been running since March this year to support people who lose their partners. After a death, a lot of things come down on the surviving partner. It's not only the grieving process and the care for the children, but financial and administrative matters also need to be arranged.

Through this project in the framework of integrated broad reception, contacts are made in a number of regions to get to know the needs better and to guide the parents towards their rights.


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