Zorgtoeslag (care allowance) for children with specific support needs
Does your child need more support than other children of the same age because of a medical condition, impairment or disability? If so, your child may be entitled to a zorgtoeslag until the age of 21. This allowance is paid on top of the basisbedrag (basic amount) of the Vlaams Groeipakket. It recognises the efforts you make as a parent to give your child the best possible opportunities to develop.
Amount
The amount of the zorgtoeslag depends on your child’s care needs.
You do not need to calculate the amount yourself. Your payment provider determines the amount on the basis of the certificate you receive once your application has been processed.
Zorgtoeslag voor kinderen met specifieke ondersteuningsbehoefte
Number of points Amount per month At least 4 points in the 1st pillar and fewer than 6 points across the three pillars 93.18 euros 6–8 points across the three pillars and fewer than 4 points in the 1st pillar 124.09 euros 9–11 points across the three pillars and fewer than 4 points in the 1st pillar 289.58 euros 6–8 points across the three pillars and at least 4 points in the 1st pillar 478.02 euros 9–11 points across the three pillars and at least 4 points in the 1st pillar 478.02 euros 12–14 points across the three pillars 478.02 euros 15–17 points across the three pillars 543.54 euros 18–20 points across the three pillars 582.36 euros More than 20 points across the three pillars 621.18 euros An overview of all amounts: Amounts and payment dates.
Conditions
Your child may be entitled to the zorgtoeslag if all of the following conditions are met:
- Your child has a medical condition, impairment or a diagnosed or suspected disability recognised by an Opgroeien assessment team.
- Your child is entitled to the Vlaams Groeipakket.
- Your child is under 21. You can receive the allowance up to and including the month in which your child turns 21.
Does your child no longer meet all these conditions? The zorgtoeslag will then stop.
Applying for the zorgtoeslag
You apply for the zorgtoeslag through your payment provider.
The assessment is carried out by Opgroeien (in Dutch), an agency of the Flemish Government. An assessment team considers what support your child needs and the impact this has on your child and your family.
The application process consists of five steps.
- Stap 1
Contact your Vlaams Groeipakket payment provider. You can do this by telephone, email, at a service desk or during a local consultation session.
Your payment provider forwards your application for assessment.
- Stap 2
You will receive an invitation by post or via eBox (in Dutch) to log in to the Mijn Opgroeien (in Dutch) portal. There, you can provide information about your child and your family. There is also a section that must be completed by your GP or specialist.
After starting your application, you have 4 months to submit all required documents and information to Opgroeien through the portal. Opgroeien will only process your application once all information has been provided. Therefore, make sure to submit everything within this period.
- Stap 3
The Opgroeien assessment team considers what support your child needs and the impact this has on your child’s and your family’s daily life. This is expressed as a number of points.
More information: Assessment by Opgroeien — Kind en Gezin
- Stap 4
After the assessment, you receive a certificate from Opgroeien containing the result and information about any additional entitlements.
This certificate is also sent to your payment provider and the Kruispuntbank van de Sociale Zekerheid (Crossroads Bank for Social Security). As a result, your child may automatically become entitled to other benefits, such as a social tariff or tax reduction.
- Stap 5
Depending on the number of points stated on the certificate, your payment provider decides whether your child is entitled to a zorgtoeslag, the amount and the period for which it is payable.
Your child is entitled to a zorgtoeslag if they have at least 4 points in the first pillar or at least 6 points across the three pillars combined.
You receive the final decision by letter from your payment provider.
Do you disagree with a decision?
The payment provider bases its decision on the certificate issued by Opgroeien.
Do you have questions or complaints about the assessment, the decision or the handling of your case?Contact Opgroeien (in Dutch).
Are you dissatisfied with your contact with your payment provider?
You can contact the dienst Klachten- en Bemiddeling (in Dutch) (Complaints and Mediation Service).
You can also contact the Vlaamse Ombudsdienst (in Dutch) (Flemish Ombudsman Service).
Review of your child’s care needs
Recognition of your child’s care needs usually applies for a specific period.
When that period ends, your child’s situation is assessed again. Under the standard procedure, this takes place when your child is aged 3, 6, 12 or 18, unless the assessment team determines a different time.
Around six months before the end of the recognition period, Opgroeien will invite you to provide new information. In most cases, you do not need to take any action yourself before then.
You can also request a review yourself if your child’s situation changes. Contact your payment provider for this. They will forward the request to Opgroeien.