In Belgium, 27 February 2027 marked the anniversary of the 1987 law governing allowances for persons with disabilities. While the legislation represented a major step forward at the time, both society and perspectives on disability have evolved significantly since then. The needs of persons with disabilities have also changed, making it necessary to modernise the law to better reflect today’s society and to strengthen inclusion.
In this context, Rob Beenders (Vooruit), Minister for Consumer Protection, Social Fraud Prevention, Persons with Disabilities and Equal Opportunities, officially launched the reform of the law on 11 December 2025. The objective is to develop a more modern and fair system that better reflects real needs. At the same time, the reform aims to make it easier for eligible individuals to access their rights and to improve participation in society.
The urgency of the reform is also highlighted in reporting by De Morgen (13 March 2026), which sheds light on how current rules can discourage people with disabilities from entering the labour market.
Work should always pay
According to a policy note by Minister Beenders, seen by De Morgen, people with disabilities who take up paid employment must be guaranteed a financial benefit.
The newspaper illustrates this with the case of Xavier Deruytter, who cannot work full-time due to a disability. He started a part-time job as a policy officer at GRIP, an organisation advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Because of his condition, he is entitled to an income replacement allowance (IVT). However, after starting work, he was informed that his allowance would be recalculated.
Deruytter argues that this creates uncertainty and discourages employment. He says that some people warned him not to start working because of the financial uncertainty, but that he chose to do so anyway. He emphasises that working is important to him, that he knows his own capabilities, and that he expects employment to be financially worthwhile.
Similar concerns are reported by organisations such as Handicap International. Director Antoine Sépulchre explains that candidates with disabilities sometimes hesitate to accept paid work out of fear of losing their benefits or ending up worse off financially. He describes a case in which a highly experienced candidate preferred to work only one paid day per week and volunteer the rest of the time to avoid financial risk.
Outdated system and low employment rates
Minister Beenders acknowledges that Belgium is lagging behind in terms of labour market inclusion. Only 48.6% of people with disabilities in Belgium are in paid employment, compared to a European average of 56.4%.
He argues that this gap is not due to individuals, but to policy. The current legal framework dates back to 1987, a time when people with disabilities were often viewed as needing institutional care rather than active participation in society. While some individuals still require intensive care, he states that those who are able and willing to work should be supported to do so and to benefit financially.
Reform shaped with stakeholder input
Consultation lies at the heart of the reform process. The Directorate-General for Persons with Disabilities (DG HAN) invited a wide range of stakeholders to contribute their expertise and share practical experiences, including organisations representing persons with disabilities, health insurance funds, public social welfare centres (OCMWs) and various civil society organisations.
In November 2025, 105 participants completed an online survey on reform proposals. This was followed by a two-day consultation on 15 and 16 December, with 85 participants from 42 organisations. Discussions focused on tailored support adapted to individual disabilities, making work financially worthwhile, ensuring rights are adequate and accessible, and a number of cross-cutting issues.
The process was conducted in collaboration with consultancy firm Möbius, and the contributions are now compiled into a report that will guide the next phase of the reform.
Poverty risk and underuse of benefits
The need for reform is further underscored by the financial vulnerability of persons with disabilities. Current allowance levels remain well below the European Union poverty threshold, and nearly 30% of people with disabilities in Belgium face a risk of poverty, compared to 18.2% of the general population.
In addition, between 20% and 40% of those entitled to benefits do not claim them, often due to lack of awareness or administrative complexity. The reform aims to address this through automatic granting of benefits and simplified procedures.
Minister Beenders notes that many people are unaware of their rights or are discouraged by administrative burdens, and that tens of thousands of people in Belgium may be affected.
Next steps
The publication of the stakeholder consultation report marks the beginning of the next phase. Working groups with internal and external representatives will further develop the proposals.
The administration will also assess the budget required and the potential economic return of increased employment among persons with disabilities. The reform is included in the federal coalition agreement, and Minister Beenders has expressed confidence that it can secure political approval.
Stakeholders broadly welcome the initiative, though some remain cautious. There are concerns that revising eligibility criteria and benefit levels should not lead to a dilution of support, where more beneficiaries receive smaller amounts.
Further updates on the reform will be shared via official channels in the coming months.
