The reception law stipulates that an occupant of a reception center must contribute to material assistance if he or she has a professional income. However, the current royal decree of 2011 and its instruction of 2013 are inadequate in terms of control and sanction to obtain a correct collection of contributions. Additionally, there were large differences in the application of the instruction within the reception network. In collaboration with a working group made up of representatives of certain reception centers and reception partners, a new draft royal decree was drawn up.

According to the new royal decree, the contribution system must:

• Be effective and easy to apply
• Be applied uniformly throughout the reception system and to all working residents
• Encourage residents to declare their employment and contribute voluntarily
• Not be a barrier to activation

In addition to this:

• The amount of the contribution must be fair and can be easily explained to the resident as well as to the rest of the population. The contribution focuses on the cost of housing.
• Controls are carried out at the central level.

The project is sent to the Council of State for its opinion.

For further information, please read the press release from the Council of State in French or in Dutch.