What is it about?
Thanks to the 2023-2024 sector agreement, the Social Fund provides financial support for childcare expenses.

Who is entitled to the allowance?
Eligibility criteria:

• A minimum of 12 consecutive months of cumulative seniority in companies under Joint Committee 143 as of 31 December of the childcare year
• Be the legal parent (by birth or legal descent) of a child who was under 12 years old at the time of care

If both parents work in a company covered by Joint Committee 143, both parents are entitled to the contribution.

How much is the allowance?
The Social Fund contributes €5 per actual childcare day  in a registered childcare facility that issues a tax certificate (e.g. crèche, childminder, after-school care, etc.)..
The maximum contribution is €800 per child per year for each eligible employee.

Please note: this contribution must be declared in your tax return. The Social Fund will provide the necessary tax certificate.

Where to submit your application?

You can submit your application to your HR departement or directly to the Guarantee and Social Fund for the Sea Fisheries (WSFZ). Your application must contain the following documents:

• For the first application, an extract from the birth certificate or any other document proving the legal parent-child relationship.
• The completed information form. (available from the Fund or your employer)
  • The tax certificate for childcare expenses, listing the care days for which you are requesting the contribution

(Note:The same certificate may be used for both parents.)

Only complete applications may be submitted by the company or employee by email or post.

When will the payment be made?
Once the application is approved, the Social Fund will process payments as the files are submitted by the companies.

A former colleague may be entitled to the allowance?
Employees who are no longer active in the sector but who meet the eligibility criteria must contact the Social Fund directly. (info@wsfz.be tel.: 059/55 60 87)

Your personnel department can answer your questions. If you have any further questions, please contact your payment institution or the fund.

ABVV-BTB:
oostende@btb-abvv.be
Tel. 059/55 60 85

ACLVB:
Alain.Overbergh@aclvb.be
Tel. 051/79 22 10

ACV-TRANSCOM:
Visserij@acv-csc.be
Tel. 02/549 11 00