Are you self-employed and do you have an occupational disability? If so, you may be entitled to financial support!
Let’s briefly outline the situation: you are self-employed and have an occupational disability. This could be a mental or physical disability. In that case, the ‘individual customization grant’ can help you. Let’s take a closer look.
What is the individual customization grant?
As a self-employed person with an occupational disability, you may be eligible for the individual customization grant. This grant is an initiative of the Flemish government to provide financial support to entrepreneurs with disabilities to help them continue running their business.
Which self-employed individuals can apply for this grant?
The grant is available to entrepreneurs in a main or secondary occupation. You are eligible if you live or work in Flanders, started
your own business after October 1, 2018, and are continuing your activities despite your occupational disability.
Condition: minimum income
There is a catch: you must earn enough to qualify for the grant. In 2026, your annual income must be at least 17.008,88 EUR. You can prove this with your paid social security contributions or your tax assessment notice. In addition, the VDAB (the public employment service of Flanders) must confirm that you actually need the support.
How much is the grant?
The grant is a percentage of the Belgian minimum monthly wage, which since April 1, 2026, is 2.390,40 EUR. Depending on your needs, this percentage can vary from 20% to 75%. So it can really add up!
Important remarks
There are a few important things to keep in mind. The grant is temporary and will be awarded for a maximum of 5 years. An extension is possible, but you will need to be able to provide a good reason why it is necessary. In addition, the grant amount decreases annually.
And what about taxes?
Unfortunately, you can’t avoid the tax authorities. The grant is simply added to your other professional income and is taxable under personal income tax. So keep that in mind when budgeting.
