Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Starting January 1, 2025, more than 1,100 people with disabilities will get their full care budget after receiving only half since late 2022. Minister Caroline Gennez has ended the old plan. Families like Simon Geens and Glenn’s are worried about having to pay back money for care services they used. There’s a court hearing on January 6 about this issue.
More than 1,100 people with disabilities will start getting their full care budget from January 1. Since late 2022, they have only received half of what they were promised. This was part of a government plan to help those waiting for support. The new Minister of Welfare, Caroline Gennez, has decided to end this plan. Families felt it was unfair and went to court, winning in many cases. One mother said it was like telling a child with cancer they would only get half of their treatment. The government is appealing some court decisions, with a hearing set for January 6.
Will Minister Caroline Gennez resolve ongoing legal battles for disabled families in Flanders?
Willems is upset that the VAPH will keep taking families to court, even though the new minister wanted to end these legal fights. Families like Simon Geens and Glenn’s have been using their budgets to keep care services but fear they might have to pay it back. They hope that starting January 1, everyone will get the full budget they need, but the ongoing legal issues are making them disappointed.
In an email, Van Casteren explained that the labor court’s decisions conflicted with the Flemish government’s rules, forcing the VAPH to keep appealing. Lawyer Lies Michielsen criticized this, saying the costs are small for the government but a big burden for families. She noted that the government is worried about setting a guideline for future budgets. Minister Gennez said she understands the families’ concerns and, while they can’t change past promises, starting January 1, 2025, everyone with a partial budget will receive a full budget.
