The corona crisis is a real buzz kill during these end-of-year holidays. Many people struggle with a sense of loneliness. At the same time, there are more and more people who are struggling financially. The vast majority them raise the alarm too late. A good resolution for 2021? Seek help in time for financiale problems.
Why is the rising number of beneficiaries of a social integration allowance a cause for concern?
In the first half of 2020, the number of beneficiaries of a social integration allowance rose by 5 percent. The public service for Social Integration and the Planning Bureau warn that this figure could rise to 9,5 percent by the end of this year. About 159.000 Belgians will receive a social integration allowance. This is alarming for two reasons. On the one hand, these Belgians are already in the last safety net of social assistance, despite the corona measures. On the other hand, this allowance is only one poverty indicator. The increasing demand for food packages and social housing also shows a gloomy reality. After all, many Belgians are waiting to seek help, so we can assume that the real impact of the corona crisis will only be visible in 2021.
The impact of the corona crisis? We are in the dark
While as many payment solutions as possibly were sought out of court through payment extension and temporary protection against garnishments and bankruptcy, this does not solve the problem. Pressing the pause button simply means that we will not be confronted with the true impact of the corona crisis until 2021. The expected ripple effect of bankruptcies can therefore still occur. Perhaps this effect is even greater now, as we artificially maintain zombie businesses. They have been able to build up even more debt in the past year. Something their employees, suppliers and the general economy will not feel until 2021.
A varied but fragmented aid offer
In the Netherlands, all kinds of actions are being taken to inform citizens about the aid available. There is www.komuitjeschuld.nl for entrepreneurs. Employees can contact Hulp bij geldzorgen, an initiative of the Dutch Schuldhulproute. The Dutch professional association of judicial officers started the campaign Bellen is oplossen, Calling is solving, to correctly informat and advise as many people with debts as possible.
Belgium can learn a lot from this accessible approach. Here, the aid offer is often fragmented and unclear. As a result, debtors usually do not know what assistance they are eligible for. This often results in late assistance, which means that many solutions are no longer possible.
Below we list fifteen options for you:
- Creditor: discuss your situation. Request a temporary payment extension or agree on a payment plan.
- Judicial officer: did your creditor engage a judicial officer? Do not hide away from the judicial officer, but have an honest conversation. Our Belgian judicial officers are there to listen and provide professional advice. After all, a judicial officer is a mediator who wants to find as quickly as possible a (payment) solution that benefits all those involved. A realistic payment plan can be discussed based on your situation. This way you can avoid unnecessary extra costs, such as payment reminders and legal costs.
- CAW: are you facing a problem? Then you can turn to your local CAW. They are happy to inform, guide and help you further. They also offer meeting places and shelter. They help prevent debts and evictions, because prevention is an important theme for the CAW.
- Public Centre for Social Welfare (PCSW, OCMW in Flanders, CPAS in Wallonia): they can assist you with budget management, debt mediation or collective debt settlement. They can also refer you to legal aid and/or help you to apply for a social integration allowance. More information can be found on the website of your hometown or on Belgium.be.
- One: people with structural debts are eligible for guided debt aid through One. This way a debt spiral can be avoided. This guidance is done in collaboration with the local PCSW and the judicial officers that are involved.
- Unemployment allowance: if you are unemployed, you may be entitled to an unemployment allowance. In Belgium, you can apply at one of these four payment institutions.
- Belgian Federation of Food Banks offers food packages all over the country.
- Belgian Anti-Poverty Network brings together four regional anti-poverty organizations, which in turn bring together more than 120 local associations. 58 Flemish associations work with in the Netwerk tegen Armoede. Réseau Wallon de Lutte contre la Pauvreté is active in Wallonia. In Brussels, you can contact Brussels Platform Armoede or Forum Bruxellois de Lutte contre la Pauvreté.
- Moeders voor Moeders offers help top oor families with young children. Moeders voor Moeders distributes food parcels, but also other material aid. Just think about children’s clothing, care material or baby equipment.
- Spullenhulp or Les Petits Riens: are you looking for a free meal, help with employment or childcare? Then you can contact Spullenhulp in Brussels.
- Pelicano Foundation helps children in poverty. They work together with schools, the PCSWs and the Social Affairs Department to tackle child poverty. They first focus on the child’s primary needs (nutrition, health and clothing). But they also provide sustainable support until the child obtains a diploma.
- Freecycle: also, in Belgium there are citizen’s initiatives that give free things to those who need it. Discover a freecycle initiative near you.
- Hoplr: thanks to the help of your neighbors, you can obtain food surpluses, borrow materials or be helped with all kinds of things, such as small repairs or the translation of a form.
- Too good to go: via this app you can purchase food surpluses in your neighborhood at a very affordable price.
- Advantageous rates for equipment: you can purchase necessary equipment at an advantageous rate through secondhand shops. In Flanders, for example, you can visit a recycling shop. Sometimes you can also obtain certain material for free via Facebook groups such as Free & Recycled Antwerp or free advertisements on Facebook Marketplace.
What action can you take in 2021?
Know that money problems can happen to anyone. You don’t have to be ashamed of it. In fact, the most important step you can take in 2021 is to discuss debts. Once you do that, you can seek targeted help.