Ask at the centre of the municipality where you live
Larger cities have several service points, spread over different neighbourhoods. Some want an online request first, others hold drop-in sessions on set days, and a few hand out numbered tickets that can run out early. Find your city to see how its centre works before you head there.
Aalst
Werf 9, 9300 Aalst
Send a first request online, with or without a digital login, or visit the social services desk.
Bring identity or residence documents, your and your partner’s bank statements for the last three months, and the additional evidence on the OCMW (public social welfare centre) checklist. Discuss any health or other circumstances affecting your ability to work.
Antwerp
Boerhaavestraat 20, 2060 Antwerp
If you are new, start with the city’s online request for social help, then book an appointment.
Describe the help you need in the first-request form, or contact your existing adviser if you already have a case. Ask which documents you need for your situation; there is no single checklist that applies to everyone. Asking for help does not mean you will receive a living allowance (leefloon), another payment or an immediate advance. The city’s 30-day period for assessing your request is not a guaranteed payment date.
Antwerp
Marnixstraat 16, 2060 Antwerp
Referral from another social centre or a hospital is required, and the help is practical, not medical treatment.
Ask the referring social worker to explain the administrative or social-security problem and confirm which documents are needed. The city links a specific online request for help during psychiatric admission; that link does not remove the referral requirement. There is no universal document checklist, no automatic entitlement to benefits and no guaranteed outcome.
Antwerp
Lamorinièrestraat 137, 2018 Antwerp
Book an appointment so a social worker can check what help is possible, including urgent medical assistance.
The centre specifically asks you to bring an interpreter if you speak little or no Dutch. Explain your residence situation and the help needed, and ask which evidence to bring; a universal document list is not available. The linked online form is a request for help, not approval or an emergency medical service.
Arlon
Rue Godefroid Kurth 2i, 6700 Arlon
Walk in for a first request, with separate sessions for under-25s and over-25s, or send it online.
Bring your identity card, bank card, proof of income and evidence of household expenses. Explain your household and financial circumstances so the social worker can identify any further documents needed.
Bruges
Hoogstraat 9, 8000 Bruges
Walk in on a weekday morning and register at reception, or book an appointment if you prefer.
Bring identification, a residence permit if applicable, information about where you live and your household’s income, benefits, savings and other entitlements. Ask which additional evidence the social worker needs. A first assistance request can also be submitted through OCMW (public social welfare centre) Online; monitor the phone and email details you provide for follow-up. For first requests through OCMW Online, the decision period is 30 days: from submission on a working day, or from the next working day after a weekend or public-holiday submission. This is a decision timetable, not a promise of immediate payment. Tell the social worker if you want to be heard before the decision and report relevant changes promptly.
Bruges
Venetiëstraat 1, Zeebrugge, 8380 Bruges
Drop in on Thursday mornings, or phone or email to book an appointment at other times.
Bring identification, a residence permit if applicable, information about where you live and your household’s income, benefits, savings and other entitlements. Ask which additional evidence the social worker needs. A first assistance request can also be submitted through OCMW (public social welfare centre) Online; monitor the phone and email details you provide for follow-up.
Brussels
Rue Haute 296, 1000 Brussels
Phone first to confirm reception arrangements, then staff will guide you to the right neighbourhood team.
Explain your actual living situation, your help request and any existing CPAS (public social welfare centre) case so staff can identify the right team. Ask which documents are needed for the next step; there is no one universal checklist. The branch lookup uses postcode, street and house number, so have your address available where applicable. A referral is not an award or payment date.
Brussels
Rue du Dam 14, 1000 Brussels
The team helps you check whether you can claim support with living costs or other help.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue d'Artois 4, 1000 Brussels
Check which branch covers your postcode, street and house number before you go.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue du Béguinage 5, 1000 Brussels
Housing, work, debt or youth questions can be passed on to the right specialist service.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Boulevard Emile Bockstael 114, 1020 Brussels
For a first contact, start at the central reception, which points you to the right team.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue Jan Bollen 33b, 1020 Brussels
A first contact does not guarantee a payment, because financial help is decided case by case.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue Bruyn 225, 1120 Brussels
If a team is already assigned to you, phone or email to confirm reception or book an appointment.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue du Grand Hospice 7A, 1000 Brussels
The teams serve people assigned to the City of Brussels social services, not every municipality in the region.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue de Cortenbach 8, 1130 Brussels
The nearest branch is not always the right one, so confirm which team is assigned to your address.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue Notre Dame de Grâces 1, 1000 Brussels
Confirm the current visiting hours with the team before you travel and ask about an appointment.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue du Miroir 7, 1000 Brussels
A social worker first looks at your situation, then arranges guidance or sends you to another service.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue de Moorslede 56-58, 1020 Brussels
If you live in another Brussels-region municipality, that municipality’s own social services handle your request.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Brussels
Rue du Wimpelberg 2, 1120 Brussels
Talk to the neighbourhood social team about your right to an integration income and other services.
Explain your current living situation, the help you need and whether you already have a CPAS (public social welfare centre) case. Ask the receiving team which identity, household, income or other evidence is required for your circumstances. Do not assume the reception hours of a city liaison office or another CPAS apply here. A social worker assesses the request before any benefit decision.
Related services
A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.
Reset an eID PIN, replace activation codes or set up a digital key for online services. Useful for residents, residence card holders and some non-residents.
The eID for teenagers and adults and the Kids-ID for children. See how applying works and find the municipal office that handles your card.
For anyone who has moved house in Belgium. See who reports, what happens after the address check and which office handles it in your new town.
Learn whether you need an extract or a full copy, who can request it and how to reach the civil registry office in your municipality.
See who can apply, what is different for children and how to prepare, then find the municipal office that handles passports.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Murcia, Barcelona, and Zaragoza
Most offices in Białystok, Katowice, and Kielce
Most offices in Eindhoven, Enschede, and Breda
Most offices in Munich, Dortmund, and Cologne
Most offices in Reykjavík, Akranes, and Akureyri
Where to next
For people who cannot cover rent, food or other essentials: what the local social welfare centre can arrange and how to ask for an appointment.
Jump straight to another part of the manual.