Brussels, 27 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Changes to Brussels unemployment benefits are having a wider impact on the capital’s social welfare system, with new Actiris figures showing that 47.6% of people in the first two groups losing their entitlement became CPAS beneficiaries within three months. The findings indicate that many long-term jobseekers are moving from federal unemployment insurance into municipal social assistance rather than immediately entering employment.
Nearly half of benefit leavers moved to CPAS
Actiris published its latest monitoring figures on 25 September. The agency examined approximately 15,500 Brussels jobseekers affected by the first two waves of benefit expirations during the first quarter of 2026.
Within three months, 47.6% had become beneficiaries of a CPAS, Belgium’s local public social welfare centres. Another 8.9%, representing 1,381 people, had entered the sickness and invalidity insurance system.
Employment outcomes were considerably lower. Actiris reported that 12.6% had entered employment when jobs of any duration were included, while 7.1% had obtained employment lasting at least 28 days.
Actiris cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from the early employment figures, stating:
“It is important to specify that the employment rates of these first two waves can be explained by the profile of the jobseekers concerned.”
Those affected in the first waves had generally been unemployed for more than eight years, placing them particularly far from the labour market.
27,500 Brussels residents lost benefit entitlement
By the end of June 2026, around 27,500 Brussels jobseekers had lost unemployment or integration allowances. The figures underline the scale of the changes to Brussels unemployment benefits and the particular vulnerability of many people affected.
Actiris reported that 63.6% had a low level of education, while 39.1% were aged 50 or older.
The proportion moving towards CPAS assistance also varied between municipalities. It reached 57.8% in Etterbeek, 53.6% in Auderghem, 52.9% in the City of Brussels and 51.7% in Saint-Gilles.
Actiris described the affected population as showing “great vulnerability”, highlighting the employment barriers faced by people losing their benefits.
Benefit changes increase pressure on local welfare services
The figures reveal an important consequence of the federal reform. Ending unemployment entitlement can reduce the number of people receiving federal unemployment payments without necessarily removing them from Belgium’s social protection system.
For thousands of Brussels residents, responsibility is instead moving towards CPAS organisations, which provide integration income and other forms of social assistance.
The federal government anticipated additional costs for these organisations and established compensation measures, including increased reimbursement arrangements and temporary staffing support.
Another 10,000 jobseekers could reach benefit limits
Actiris says the process is far from complete. Around 10,000 additional Brussels jobseekers are expected to reach the end of their entitlement between July 2026 and June 2027.
Since October 2025, 4,647 affected jobseekers have begun support programmes through Actiris or partner organisations, while thousands more have received information or individual guidance.
Future Actiris monitoring will provide a clearer picture of whether people leaving Brussels unemployment benefits move into sustained employment, training or continue relying on other parts of Belgium’s social welfare system.
