Bart De Wever on limiting unemployment benefits: “We have to bite the bullet”

The federal government is moving forward with a reform that limits unemployment benefits in time. Prime Minister Bart De Wever explained the implementation timeline and rationale during an interview on Villa Politica: “We have to bite the bullet. This reform was long overdue.”

No more lifetime unemployment benefits

The government agreement already included the decision: unemployment benefits will no longer be unlimited. On Wednesday night, the coalition parties reached an agreement on the details and timing: “The rollout will take place in cohorts over a three-month period. We’ve also allocated a significant financial package to support local welfare centres (OCMWs).”

De Wever acknowledged the concerns: “People are understandably worried that more individuals will turn to social assistance. But we expect some to return to the workforce, while others—those who receive unemployment benefits without truly needing them—will exit the system. And yes, a portion will end up at the OCMWs. Those concerns are legitimate.”

Extra support for welfare centres

Local governments have already voiced anxiety about a potential influx of people applying for the integration income. De Wever is aware of the challenges: “We understand that OCMWs are not eager to take on this burden. That’s why we’ve worked closely with the regions and administration to agree on a phased implementation.”

Specifically, anyone who has been unemployed for 20 years or more will lose their benefits as of January 1, 2026. School leavers who have been receiving integration benefits for over a year will also see those benefits end on January 1. On March 1, support ends for those unemployed for between 8 and 20 years. From April 1, unemployment benefits will be cut for anyone jobless for more than two years. In total, 113,000 long-term unemployed individuals will lose their entitlement to unemployment benefits.

OCMWs will also be required to hire and train additional social workers—a profession already suffering from shortages. Initially, compensation for these costs was scheduled for 2027, but De Wever has promised earlier funding:
“OCMWs will start receiving the money in 2026. We’re continuously adapting based on ongoing consultations.”

Savings significantly higher than expected

The National Employment Office (RVA) initially estimated savings of €900 million, but that figure has now been revised to €2 billion. “They waited for the modelling to be completed before calculating the actual impact,” De Wever explained. “But a word of caution: that’s a gross figure. Additional spending—for example, on OCMWs to offset the rise in integration income recipients—must still be deducted.”

“It will be tough, but it has to be done”

De Wever admits the measure won’t be painless: “We’re facing a serious workload. But we have to bite the bullet. The government has done everything it can to support the OCMWs,” he concluded.