Social assistance

There is a social assistance centre (CPAS), Openbaar Centrum voor Maatschappelijk Welzijn (OCMW) or Öffentliches Sozialhilfezentrum (ÖSHZ) in every municipality in Belgium.

These centres will give equipment, financial, social, psycho-social or medical help. Integration income, for instance, is a monthly income that you will receive if you meet certain conditions: you must be a resident in Belgium (you need to be registered at the municipality), you have to be at least 18, you have to be Belgian or an EU national or be recognized as a political refugee or be stateless. You mustn't have any other form of income and must be able to prove so.

If you are under 18, a refugee or don't have a family (non accompanied minor refugee), you will receive specific aid if necessary (if you are in danger or in difficulty or if your education is endangered because of your behaviour or your family's or friends' behaviour).

The main idea is that everyone has the right to dignity. In this case, the CPAS (OCMW,
ÖSHZ) of your municipality will take you in charge.

To find the contact person of the CPAS (OCMW or
ÖSHZ) of your municipality, go to your Town Hall or on www.cpas.fgov.be  [FR, NL].