Practical Matters, Finance and Administration
The costs of childbirth vary per hospital. The social services department of the hospital can inform you about the precise cost. They can also help you with a repayment plan if needed. The costs of a home birth are often lower.
If you have a health insurance, most costs are covered. The OCMW can assist you to sort out financial issues.
Maternity and child benefits.
You can apply for maternity benefits, before and shortly after delivery. Every pregnant woman with a family income or on benefits has this right. Contact your “mutualiteit” and employer for information.
If you need to find suitable housing, financial support, support in search of baby care items, you can contact the OCMW in your municipality. Besides, The CAW (centre for social welfare) can support you. Many organisations provide support when you are struggling to make ends meet. Also see “I need practical assistance or care”
Day Care
If you need day care for your child because you are working, you should better organise this before the delivery. The number of vacancies for children is limited, especially in the city!
Information, services and advice can be found at:
- Dienst Burgerlijke Stand van de Gemeente zoeken
- Federale Overheidsdienst werkgelegenheid, arbeid en sociaal overleg
- Rijksdienst voor Kinderbijslag voor Werknemers
- Rijksinstituut voor de Sociale Verzekeringen der Zelfstandigen
- Rijksdienst voor sociale zekerheid van de provinciale en plaatselijke overheidsdiensten
- Uitleg over sociale zekerheid
- OCMW
- CAW
- Erkende verenigingen waar armen het woord nemen
- Gezinsbond
- Een buddy bij de wieg
- Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg De Kraamkaravaan