Belgian family receives record 4,646 euros in monthly allowances

A family with 13 children in the French-speaking Walloon area of Belgium claims a total of 4,646.34 euros (about 4,991 U.S. dollars) a month in allowances, according to figures released by the country's federal agency for family allowances, Famifed.

This is the largest single benefit payment to a Belgian family, according to the latest research.

Child benefit rates vary according to the size of the family. These amounts systematically increase depending on whether a first child (90.28 euros per month), a second child (167.05 euros) or subsequent children (249.41 euros).

"To this must be added a whole range of social supplements. Some families have allowances not just taking into account the number of children, but also any disabilities, for example, which has an influence on any increase in the amount", said Mathilde Beirnaert, a spokeswoman for Famifed, as quoted by Sudinfo.be.

According to Famifed, the latest figures reveal that 100 Belgian families are comprised of at least ten children. Beirnaert said there are five families with 13 children in the Flemish-speaking region of Flanders and two in the Walloon area.

"Thirteen children is also the record for Wallonia, while in Flanders, there are examples of no less than 15 children, and two with 14."

"For families that we manage payments of, there is a family of 14 children in the Flemish community that collects 3,419.50 euros monthly, and a family allowance to 13 children in Wallonia of 4,646.34 euros per month," she said. Endit