Merchtem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – People who submit minimum income applications in Merchtem must physically visit to get details about their decision to apply. Under the new measure, the municipality combined increased resident interaction with reduced administrative costs through the OCMW.
All applicants seeking minimum income benefits from OCMW must appear in person to get their application results at Merchtem. Previously, OCMW officials reached out to their applicants through postal mail deliveries and digital messages from My eBox. This policy shift combines personal resident participation with decreased costs at the OCMW.
“When someone applies for a minimum income, the special committee for social services (BCSD) decides on the file. This involves granting, suspending or recovering the minimum income. This decision is sent by registered letter, or applicants can consult the letter digitally via My eBox,”
Says Alderman for Social Affairs Reinhoud De Bosscher (N-VA).
“But that procedure is too non-binding, and the digital world is not equally accessible to everyone. To tackle the problem, the BCSD of Merchtem has adjusted the regulations. In concrete terms, applicants are now required to collect their decision letter in person from the OCMW,”
Says the alderman.
The proposal should reduce the costs for the OCMW.
“In 2024 alone, more than 750 registered letters were sent, which cost the municipality thousands of euros,”
Says the alderman.
According to the alderman, no fewer than 175 registered letters were simply left at the post office in 2024.
“A waste of money,”
He thinks.
“It also raises questions about the involvement of some welfare applicants,”
The alderman believes.
“Anyone who applies for support from the OCMW must at least make the effort to collect his or her decision letter. This measure makes applicants more aware of their own file.”
What are the details of Merchtem’s new policy for minimum income applicants?
Belgium offers social welfare benefits through leefloon or revenu d’intégration to help those lacking sufficient financial means. The OCMW operates this system to maintain fundamental living requirements for recipients. Administrative expenses, joined by weak applicant participation, remain persistent difficulties within the system.
Over 750 registered minimum-income letters from Merchtem went undelivered by post to residents in 2024 and resulted in thousands of euros spent, while 175 letters remained unclaimed at postal facilities. The Belgian nationwide social welfare system faces criticism because 150,000 citizens received minimum income payments in 2023.
The in-person acceptance process adopted by Merchtem matches national initiatives to merge administrative operations while encouraging prospective applicants to participate actively.
