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Ondersteuningstoeslag (support allowance)

The ondersteuningstoeslag is a monthly amount for children with substantial care needs. The allowance helps your family organise non-medical care and support and, in doing so, promotes your child’s participation in society. The ondersteuningstoeslag is paid through the Vlaams Groeipakket.

In brief
  • Your child must score at least 12 points on the medical-social scale.
  • Your child must be under 21 years old.
  • Does your child live in Flanders? The allowance is paid automatically.
  • Does your child live in Brussels? You must apply for the allowance yourself.

Amount

The ondersteuningstoeslag is a fixed amount and does not depend on household income.

Conditions

Your child is entitled to the ondersteuningstoeslag if they meet all of the following conditions:

  • Your child has at least 12 points on the medical-social scale (in Dutch).
  • Your child is under 21 years old. You receive the allowance up to and including the month in which your child turns 21.
  • Your child lives in Flanders or the Brussels-Capital Region.
  • Your child has Belgian nationality or meets the residence conditions (in Dutch).

Do you need to apply?

  • Your child lives in Flanders

    You do not need to apply for the ondersteuningstoeslag. Your Vlaams Groeipakket payment provider pays the allowance automatically as soon as you are entitled to it.

  • Your child lives in Brussels

    If your child lives in Brussels, you can apply for the ondersteuningstoeslag in writing or by email through one of the Flemish payment providers (in Dutch).

    The condition is that you already receive an additional child benefit allowance for a child with an impairment or disability through a Brussels payment provider.

Payment

The ondersteuningstoeslag is paid together with the basisbedrag (basic amount) every month, around the 8th of the following month.

Ondersteuningstoeslag and other allowances

Your child may be entitled to both the ondersteuningstoeslag and the zorgtoeslag (care allowance). The two allowances complement each other.

  • The zorgtoeslag helps with the higher costs of raising a child with specific support needs.
  • The ondersteuningstoeslag is intended to help organise non-medical care and support in a way that suits your family.

Depending on your family circumstances or income, you may also be entitled to other allowances.

Successor to the basisondersteuningsbudget

Until the end of 2022, the basisondersteuningsbudget (also known as the care budget for people with disabilities) was paid by a health insurance fund. Since January 2023, this budget for children and young people up to the age of 21 has been part of the Vlaams Groeipakket under the name ondersteuningstoeslag.

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