In the first step, 1,500 people over 55 in Flanders are in danger of losing unemployment benefits
© Belga
In Flanders, in the first instance, from January 1, 2026, around 1,500 Flemish people over 55 will lose their unemployment benefits due to the federal limitation of unemployment over time. The Flemish Minister for Work Zuhal Demir clarified this on Wednesday in the Flemish Parliament. According to the N-VA Minister, the figures are a provisional and careful estimate of the RVA and the VDAB. Demir wants to support the people over 55 in their search for work.
Source: Belga
Today at 5:21 PM
From 2026, the federal government wants to step by step by step by step over time. Anyone who has been unemployed for more than two years loses their benefits. For those who are older than 55, there is an exception, but then you must have worked for at least 30 years. According to figures from federal minister David Clarinval (MR), no less than 82 percent of those people over 55 would lose his benefit in Belgium. The exception would apply for only 10,500 people over 55.
In Flanders, according to Minister Demir, around 1,500 people over 55 would not fall under the exception in a first phase. From January 1, they will turn to VDAB looking for a new job. The N-VA minister emphasizes that it is about provisional figures.
Minister Demir announced during the plenary session in the Flemish Parliament that she wants to support those who are affected by the measure in their search for work. Among other things, there will be an extra training for the 1,878 employment agents. Demir also talks to employers and the sector federations to talk about the prejudices around the over 55s.
