Centres Publics d'Action Sociale (CPAS)

Human dignity

Every Belgian commune has its own CPAS, which provides social assistance to persons who do not have the resources to be able to live in dignity. That means that everyone must be in a position to at least feed and clothe themselves, to find somewhere to live and to access health care.

If they cannot, the CPAS can give them assistance. This social assistance is only available to persons who are ineligible for other forms of social security. The CPAS guarantees all citizens the right to minimum means of subsistence (under certain conditions). This assistance must be given objectively and fairly to all citizens in need who live in the commune to which the CPAS belongs, regardless of ideological, philosophical and religious convictions and with due respect for privacy.

CPAS social assistance

CPAS can provide assistance in various forms depending on the CPAS in question. Contact your commune’s CPAS to find out exactly what they can provide:

• Financial assistance: 'revenu d'intégration' (a benefit generated to top up a citizen’s income to a minimum subsistence level), advances, grants, contributions to energy bills, etc.
• Assistance in kind: meals, clothing, public transport, etc.
• Medical assistance: contributions to the costs of medical care and pharmaceuticals, emergency medical assistance, etc.
• Social and job market assistance: assistance to find a training course or a job, boutique sociale, etc.
• Family assistance: family help, homes, child care, home help, etc.
• Legal assistance: debt mediation, etc.

To get assistance from the CPAS you must submit an application. A social worker will assess your application before writing a report for the Comité spécial du Service social (see below). The CPAS makes a decision on your application and notifies you what it is. If you do not agree with the decision you can appeal against it at the industrial tribunal (tribunal du travail).

Most CPAS branches run rest homes for people too ill to live at home and rest and care homes for older people who need care and others who need daily assistance.

Structure of a CPAS

Although they are established at commune level and inextricably linked to the communes, CPAS branches have a distinct legal personality.

The Conseil de l'Action sociale is the primary body of the CPAS. It comprises between 9 and 15 CPAS advisors (political representatives) elected by the commune council. The Conseil de l'Action sociale chooses a president from among its members to run the activities of the CPAS. The Conseil de l'Action sociale also establishes a permanent bureau from among its members, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the CPAS. The permanent bureau has between three and five members:

• A secretary to run the administration, investigate cases and be responsible for the staff of the CPAS
• A treasurer to run the financial service and be responsible for payments and revenues
• At least one social worker to guide persons and families, and establish assistance application files

The Conseil de l'Action sociale generally appoints a Comité spécial du Service social (social service special committee) comprising the president and a small number of advisors, which takes decisions on assistance applications based on the recommendations of the social workers.

The CPAS can also take on other staff members, such as administration staff, jurists, IT technicians, economists, care staff (for rest homes and day centres) and other workers.