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Extra €30 million to support young people during pandemic

09:50 15/02/2021

Belgium will make an additional €30 million in financial support available to young people aged 18-25 who are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus crisis.

The money will be distributed via the municipal social welfare organisations, CPAS/OCMW, on a case-by-case basis, federal minister for the fight against poverty, Karine Lalieux, announced.

"On the one hand, we have students in a precarious situation, who have lost their student job," said Lalieux. "Look at the queues in front of food banks for students - this is not acceptable.

"There are also young people who already receive social benefits, such as the integration income. We want to invest in these young people, to support them in a stronger way, so that tomorrow they can find a job and flourish."

Students, the unemployed and under-employed are all eligible. To benefit from assistance from the CPAS, applicants must prove insufficient income from a job and that they receive no financial support from parents.

The organisation has 30 days to assess the application and there is a right of appeal.

On Sunday, young people all over Belgium and their parents drew a chalk circle outside their home or in another public space, in an initiative aimed at raising awareness of loneliness and precariousness among children, teenagers and students.

Philippe De Menten, co-organiser of the "Trace ton cercle" movement said: "I really think that, today, all the measures have done more harm than good to the entire Belgian population."

Written by The Bulletin