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Groeipakket

What is the Growth Package?

In Flanders, as a parent, you receive the Growth Package (the new Flemish child allowance), for the care and upbringing of your child(ren) living in Flanders.

The Growth Package consists of:

The next payment can be expected by 06/12/2024

This is the date on which Parentia transfers the amount to your bank. Normally, the amount appears in your account on the same day, depending on your bank's processing speed.

Overview of Growth Package payment dates
How much is my child entitled to?

Do any of the following situations apply to you? Join us now!

The basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth PackageThe basic amount of €180,19 per childHow to manage your Growth Package?Allowances within the Growth PackageWhat is your current situation?Choose who can pay your Growth PackageWhy choose Parentia?This is what our families are sayingForms for the Growth Package

The basic amount of €180,19 per child

Since the launch of the Growth Package in Flanders, every child born from 2019 onwards receives a fixed basic amount of €180,19 per month, possibly supplemented with additional allowances depending on your situation. Children born before 2019 continue to receive the previous amounts.

Discover all the amounts of the Growth Package
What is the Growth Package for my child(ren) born before 2019?

Calculate the amount of your Groeipakket in a few steps. Start with 1 child. You can add other children later.

The Groeipakket is calculated on the basis of your child's date of birth and the address where your child lives.

How to manage your Growth Package?

I'm pregnant
Upon the birth of a child, you will receive a one-time starting amount (the new name for maternity allowance in Flanders). You can easily apply for this starting amount online or via a paper form. After the birth of your child, you will automatically receive your Growth Package (the new child benefits in Flanders) every month. You don't need to do anything else.
Apply for the starting amount
I have children and I am affiliated to Parentia Flanders
  • I have children and I am affiliated to Parentia Flanders

  • I want to access my online file

  • I want to change my bank account number

  • I want to request a certificate

  • I want to calculate my Growth Package
Go to My Parentia
Do any of the following situations apply to you? Join us now!

Allowances within the Growth Package

For childcare and school
Daycare supplement
Monthly allowance for children who attend a daycare center recognized bey the Flemish Community of which the price isn’t determined by the income of the parents.

More about the daycare supplement
Preschool supplement

Allowance for three and four year olds, that attend a Dutch speaking (recognized by the Flemish government) school

More about the preschool supplement

School bonus

For every child that attends school, you receive a school premium each year. This premium is paid around the 8th of August. The amount depends on the age of your child

More about the amounts and conditions of the schoolbonus

School supplement

Annual scholarship for children whoattend a Dutch speaking preschool, primary school or secondary school and of whom the parents have a low family income. The school supplement is automatically paid between August en December.

More about the school supplement

Tailored to your family
Social supplement

Families who financially are in a hard spot, can count on a social supplement. The amount depends on the family size and family income.

More about the amounts and conditions of the social supplement

Other allowances
Orphan's supplement

Children of whom one or both parents died, receive a monthly orphan supplement

More about the orphan's supplement

Care supplement

Financial support for children with extra needs. The care supplement varies depending on the severity of the condition.

More about the care supplement

Support supplement

Financial support on top of the care supplement, for children that have a recognized disability or need for care (at least 12 points on the medical-social scale).

More about the support supplement

Foster care supplement

A supplement for parents who look after a foster child

More about the foster care supplement

Want to know exactly what your child is entitled to?

Calculate your Growth Package

What is your current situation?

Family
Moving

Are you moving, but you remain in the same region, well in that case you don’t have to do a thing. However if you are moving to a different region within the belgian borders, then you have to apply for your Growth Package or family benefits all over again in your new region.

  More about moving and the Growth Package

Family size

The number of children that are taken in account to calculate your family benefits, is called the family size.

More about the Growth Package and family size

Living together and marriage

A new family composition? A change in your family composition because of which you form a actual family, can influence the calculation of your Growth Package.

More about the influence of marriage and cohabitation on your Growth Package

Separation and divorce

A change in parental authority? Because of a possible change in parental authority a separation can influence the payments of the Growth Package. In some cases a parent even has to apply for the Growth Package all over again.

More about the Growth Package and separation or divorce

Single or single-parent family

Are you on your own as a parent? As a single parent you might be entitled to some extra financial support.

More about extra support for single parents

To or from abroad

Are you living outside Belgium and you are coming to Flanders to work, or are you living in Flanders and you found a job abroad or maybe your entire family is coming to live in Flanders from somewhere outside the Belgian borders? You might be entitled to the  Growth Package.

More about the right to the Growth Package in Flanders

Child
Adoption

Are you welcoming a new child in your family through adoption? You are entitled to a starting amount adoption and the Growth Package.

More about the Growth Package and adoption 
Disability or condition

Is your child in need of extra care? Children with special needs are entitled to extra financial support within the Growth Package. This supplement varies depending on the severity of the condition

More about the care supplement

Placement in an institution

When children are placed in an institution, it also impacts their Growth Package. 2/3rd of the amount they are entitled to, will be paid to the institution in which they reside.

More about the Growth Package for children placed in an institution

Placement in a foster family

When chidren are placed in foster care, this also influences their Growth Package. That is to say it influences the calculation of the amount and it determines the beneficiary.

More about the Growth Package for children in foster care

Study and education

Are you receiving the Growth Package for children that are over 18 and still in school? You can receive the Growth Package for your child unconditionally until the age of 18 or until the age of 25 if your child continues to go to school (at least 17 hours a week or registered for at least 27 study points)

More about the conditions

Working as a student

Earning some extra money as a student? Until the age of 18 a profitable activity has no influence whatsoever on your Growth Package. After that age up until your 25 birthday certain conditions have to be met to keep receiving the Growth Package.

More about the Growth Package for students who work

After studies

Finished school, or maybe quit early? As someone who leaves school, you are still entitled to the Growth Package for 12 months.

More about the Growth Package for children who left or finished school

Living alone

Going to live independently as a young person? An adolescent or young adult with an address of their own, can receive their own Growth Package.

More about the Growth Package and living on your own

Choose who can pay your Growth Package

You can choose for yourself which payer of the Growth Package will pay your Growth Package in Flanders. If you choose Parentia, you're in good hands. We ensure punctual and correct payment and help you get your family administration in order. This way, you have more time for what really matters.
Would you like to join the Parentia family, but your Growth Package is currently being paid by another payer? Good news! You can switch your entire family to Parentia. You can also find more information on the website of the Flemish government.

Join Parentia

Why choose Parentia?

Know more about Parentia
1
Manage your online file with My Parentia
As a parent, you'll find a convenient overview of everything related to the payment of your Growth Package (the new Flemish child benefits) on My Parentia (payment dates, certificates, changing bank account information, etc.).
Go to My Parentia
2
Assistance with your family administration
You'll find clear answers to your questions about your family administration with us and receive tips on keeping it organized. Your administration has never been this simple!
Go to Family Administration
3
A quick service and numerous ways to contact us
Any questions about your Growth Package or family administration? Contact us via email or telephone or make an appointment for a video call or a physical visit in one of our agencies. Our experts are at your disposal.
How to contact us
4
Accurate payments and personalized advice
We ensure a punctual and accurate payment of your Growth Package every month and make sure you receive all the supplements you are entitled to. You can easily reach out to us for quick and personalized advice.

Calculate Your Growth Package

This is what our families are saying

Hafsa
8 months pregnant
"Very pleased about Parentia's services. Quick processing an handling of our file. The startbedrag was transferred rapidly. Kind and helpful employees. Great website with a lot of useful information"
Joeri
Affiliated with Parentia for 6 years
"I don't usually have a lot of questions, but when I do, I always get a quick respons! Thank you!"
Eva
Just recently affiliated with Parentia
"I only had to call once and this woman helped me right away. She told me exactly what to do. Already very satisfied!"

Forms for the Growth Package

Change of affiliation to Parentia
224.52 KB - PDF file
Claim for Groeipakket (Child allowance)
248.84 KB - PDF file
Claim for startbedrag (maternity benefit)
240.31 KB - PDF file
Demand for payment to a bank account of one beneficiary
207.66 KB - PDF file
Demand for payment to a bank account of two beneficiaries
208.77 KB - PDF file

My Parentia: Your Growth Package at a glance!

My Parentia is the personal online file for parents receiving their Growth Package through Parentia.
Use My Parentia to...

  • Access the complete Growth Package file for your child(ren), including the amount per child, any supplements, etc.
  • Consult all correspondence online anytime, anywhere.
  • View a complete payment history of your Growth Package.
  • Stay updated on all news related to your Growth Package dossier.
  • Request certificates and documents.
  • Update the bank account number where you receive the Growth Package.

Go to My Parentia

Groeipakket or child benefit? Startbedrag or maternity allowance?

Since 2019 Groeipakket is the new name for child benefit in Flanders. the Groeipakket contains more than what used to be the child benefit: next to the old child benefit, the Groeipakket also contains  a series of new supplements on which children in Flanders, depending on their situation, might be entitled. also the startbedrag is part of the Groeipakket. Since 2019 this one time amount received at the birth of each child, is called startbedrag in stead of birth allowance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I obtain a Growth Package certificate?

Are you a Parentia family member? In that case you can quickly and easily download the needed certificates through our customer page "My Parentia". Through this portal site you are able to log on to your personal account where you will be able to download or print the needed certificates. Or you can simply ask for your certificate by e-mail, post or telephone. You can find our contact data on our contact page.

How much is my monthly amount?

As of the first of January 2019 in Flanders "child benefit" is named the Growth Package. The new model applies for all children born starting 01/01/2019 onwards.

Children born before that date, remain in the old system and keep receiving the old amounts until they finish their studies or until they reach the age of 25.

Families with children born before 2019 AND children born after 2019 receive a mix of the old child benefit amounts and the new Growth Package amounts .

What system applies to your situation and how much family benefits you will receive all depends of what your family looks like. You want to have a more detailed overview of the amounts and conditions? Then take a look on our page about the Growth package amount (under the Growth Package button in the top menu of this page) or contact your local office. One of our colleagues will glady provide you with an answer based on your specific situation.

I've got a new bank account number, how do I communicate the new number?

Changing a bank account number can only be done written. Depending on when your children were born, you will have to use a different document to do so. Once we have the necessary document in our possession, duly filled out and signed, we are obligated to contact FEBELFIN and check if you actually are the holder of the account number which was communicated.

Tip: Try to send us the document needed to communicate the new number as soon as possible, in that way you prevent the next payment to be transferred to your old bank account number.

All children in your family were born before 01/01/2019 If this is the case, the beneficiary has to send us the form MOD W 1 BG, signed and duly filled out. You can download or print this file on our forms page.

At least 1 child was born from 01/01/2019 onwards If this is the case you have to send us the form MOD W 2 BG, signed and duly filled out. Attention! From the moment a child is born from 01/01/2019 onwards, parents can choose amongst themselves which parent can receive the Growth Package. You have to communicate your choice on the designated form. The form then has to be signed by both parents. If one of the signatures is missing, we cannot accept the form.

I live abroad If you live abroad, and you or your partner came to Flanders to work, the same rules apply as those for the Belgian families who live in Flanders. To communicate a change of bank account number, you can use the form MOD W INT. This form also has to be signed by both parents as soon as a child enters the family from 01/01/2019 onwards. When we are dealing with a new right, meaning if the right to the Belgian Growth Package starts from 01/01/2019 onwards, the parents get to choose which one of them receives the Growth Package. Again both signatures need to be present on the document, no matter the date of birth of the children.

My child has stopped going to school. Am I still entitled to the Growth Package?

In Flanders you are no longer obligated to register with the unemployment office (VDAB) to keep receiving the Growth Package when you finish or quit school. Under certain conditions, as a former student you are entitled to a complementary 12 months of Growth Package and to receive it certain actions have to be taken.

My family situation has changed, what should I do?

The composition of your family changes cause one of your grown up children leaves home, a (first) child is born, a family member passes, ... Changes in your family situation of that nature can have consequences for your Growth Package payments. What do you need to do when a change in your family situation occurs?

You do not yet have a Growth Package file. Your first child has been born and you forgot to apply for your starting amount before birth. This means that you are unknown with the payment organisms, and therefore you still have to communicate the birth of your child with one of the payment organisms yourself. If you wish to apply for your starting amount and Growth Package with Parentia, you can easily do so online. Our colleagues will compose your file, based on the data you provide us with and will start payments of the Growth Package together with the payment of your starting amount. Once payments have been activated, our colleagues will automatically be notified (by the crossroads bank) of every change that takes place in your family situation. Based on this information they will do the necessary to complete your file.

You already receive Growth package payments. In this case you don't have to do anything at all. As soon as your official family composition is altered at the community services, your payment organism will receive a digital message from the crossroads bank. Based on that message, our colleagues will take the necessary actions to complete your file.

What are the current supplements and what are the conditons to obtain them?

Every Flemish child is entitled to the basic amount of the Growth Package. On top of the basic amount their are a few other supplements to which you may be (under certain conditions) entitled. We summed up the different supplements and conditions hereunder.

Am I entitled to a social supplement? Wether or not you are entitled to a social supplement, depends on your annual taxable grosse family income. As apposed to the past, not only families in which one parent has been unemployed or on health insurance for an extended period of time can be entitled to a supplement but also working parents with a low income can get a little financial nudge.

Am I entitled to an age supplement? For children born before 01/01/2019 that already were entitled to child benefits, the monthly age supplement remains the same. Just like in the past, these children are entitled to an age supplement as of the age of six. This supplement is higher if the family is also entitled to a social supplement and will increase even more at the ages of 12 and 18.

For children born from 01/01/2019 onwards (or for older children that only entered the Flemish system of the Growth Package after 31/12/2018) the monthly age supplements no longer apply. A more detailed overview of the amounts and conditions can be found on our page about the annual age supplement.

Am I entitled to the annual school bonus or school premium? All children (aswell the children born before 01/01/2019 as those born from 01/01/2019 onwards) are entitled to a universal participation supplement (what used to be called schoolpremium and which in the new Growth package sometimes is referred to as the school bonus) for every year in which they are entitled to the Growth Package of the month of July. A detailed overview of the amounts can be found on our page dedicated to the school bonus.

I'm an orphan, am I entitled to an additional amount? Children that were orphaned before 01/01/2019 (just like they were in the past) are entitled to a fixed orphans amount, which replaces the regular basic amounts, regardless of the rank of the child and the fact if only one or both parents are deceased, this under the condition that the possible living parent remains single. For children orphaned from 01/01/2019 onwards, there a orphans supplement. The amount of this supplement depends of the number of deceased parents. Wether or not the surviving parent remains single, does not influence the right to this supplement any more.

A more detailed overview of the amounts can be found on our webpage dedicated to the orphans supplement.

Care supplement From 01/01/2019 the term "Care supplement" was introduced. This term contains 2 seperate supplements to which all children (those born before aswel as those born from 01/01/2019 onwards) might be entitled.

The first type of care supplement is the 'foster care supplement'. For children who are being raised in a foster family, a monthly supplement can be paid. In the past this supplement could only be paid to the beneficiary who received the child benefits right before the child was put into foster care. Nowadays however (from 01/01/2019 onwards) this supplement can also be paid to the foster parent(s).

The second care supplement is the 'specific support supplement' (in the past called supplement for disabled children). All children (born before 01/01/2019 but younger than 21 and all children born from 01/01/2019 onwards) with a specific need for care, that means all children that have been recognized by the belgian government (till 2018) or "Kind en Gezin" (from 2019) as children with a disability or condition, may be entitled to a supplement of which the amount depends on the severity of the condition.

Child care supplement, kindergarten supplement and school supplement All children that attend a non income related Dutch speaking child (day) care (this also applies to children who live in Brussels or Wallonia) are entitled to a forfaitair amount of child care supplement for every day they are present in the day care center. More so, all children that attend (a Dutch speaking) school are entitled to a kindergarten supplement on the ages of 3 and 4. And there's more. School expenses can add up for parents. Parents who financially are in a tight spot, may be entitled to an annual school bonus. So are you living in Brussels or Wallonia? Then apply for (one of) these supplements that can be added to your Brussels or Walloon child benefits, with Parentia.

What do the terms 'benefit recipient core and beneficiary core' mean?

The benefit recipient core is the term that in the new system is used to appoint the person that received the child benefit on 31/12/2018 in the old system. As long as the family situation of the recipient remains unaltered, the term benefit recipient core remains applicable, in which only 1 beneficiary can be the legal recipient of the family allowance. Who is appointed as recipient is also determined legally.

As of the moment that a familial alteration accurs after 31/12/2018, this "benefit recipient core" is converted to a "beneficiary core". Flemish families that had a first child after 31/12/2018, immediately fall into the beneficiary core system. Within this core a maximum of 2 people can be appointed as benificiaries of the Growth Package. These two beneficiaries can decide together who out of the two receives the Growth Package. Off course you can also choose to have your Growth Package transferred to a joint bank account. For a more detailed explanation on your specific situation, it's best to contact your local Parentia office.

When will I receive my Growth Package?

The Growth Package is paid around the 8th of the month every month. At that time you are receiving the Growth Package of the month prior to the month in which the payment takes place. For instance: the Growth Package of the month of April is paid around the 8th of May. On top of that we schedule extra weekly payments to enable us to carry out overdue payments to which you still might be entitled.

You are already part of the Parentia family? Well if that's the case you can easily consult your payment history via our client page 'My Parentia'. Via this page you can log on to your personal account where you can consult all the necessary data.

You're moving? How does your payment organism receive this information and what are the consequences?

Your payment organism luckily is not one of the administrative burdens you have to consider when you move! That's right, the crossroads bank of social security will make sure your payment organism is automatically notified of your changed adress. Based on this notification the data in your file will be adapted.

Careful! When you move from one Belgian region to another, you will also be subject to the child benefit legislation of that specific region. On top of that, you will have to fill out a new application for family allowances. Even if you choose to remain with your current payment organism, you still have to file your application with their services.