Prospective parents: What help during pregnancy and after the birth of your child?

Aid paid during pregnancy

Are you expecting a child? The compulsory medical examinations carried out as part of the follow-up of your pregnancy, and the beginning of your maternity, are covered at 100% of the cost of the Sickness Insurance. This concerns in particular:

• Mandatory prenatal visits (one before the end of 3^e month of pregnancy, then one per month from 4^e months of pregnancy);
• pre-birth and pre-parenting sessions, including early prenatal check-ups (a non-mandatory interview with a birth professional to review the health of the pregnant woman, organize her pregnancy follow-up and identify situations of anxiety in the expectant mother or father);
• a dental prevention examination, starting on 4^e months of pregnancy;
• a follow-up by a midwife for you and your child, after your discharge from the maternity ward (100% supervision by the Health Insurance until the 12th^e day after your baby is born).

During pregnancy, you may also benefit from the childbirth grant of the Early Childhood Care Benefit (EYCP). This is a means-tested bonus to help you prepare for your baby's arrival. It amounts to €1,066.31 net. In order to be eligible, you must, in particular, submit to 1^er prenatal medical examination during pregnancy, and declare it before the end of 3^e months of pregnancy.

The aids you can receive after the birth of your child

Depending on your situation, you can benefit from different aids after the arrival of your baby.

For the maintenance and education of your child

The basic allowance for the childcare benefit shall be paid on a means-tested basis. This benefit helps you pay for your child's care and education. The amount of the allowance depends on your income and the number of children you have to support.

To have your child looked after

Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to the additional freedom of choice of custody. This financial assistance can be paid to you:

• if you entrust your child to a licensed childminder ;
• if you directly employ someone who is caring for your child at home ;
• if you use a micro-nursery (a collective reception facility with a maximum capacity of 12 places).

When you are raising your child alone

You can receive the Family Support Allowance (FSA), an amount of €195.85, if:

• the other parent has not been involved in the maintenance of the child for at least 1 month (or if he pays you support of less than €195.85, in which case the BSO is equal to the difference between the amount of the support received and €195.85);
• the other parent did not recognize the child ;
• the other parent died.

When you stop working to take care of your child

If you completely or partially interrupt your professional activity in order to care for your child and you have 8 quarters of old age contribution (over a reference period which varies according to the total number of children in your care), you can benefit from the Shared Child Education Benefit (PreParE) as long as he's under three.

The amount of the aid depends in particular on your work quota (totally interrupted activity or part-time work); the maximum amount of the aid is €448.43 per month. If you have at least 3 dependent children and you have completely stopped working, you can claim the increased PreParE. It amounts to €732.98 per month.