The term "rightful claimant" is one of the key concepts in family benefit regulations. The rightful claimant is the individual creating the right to family benefits.

The following may under certain conditions be eligible as rightful claimants

• persons with a self-employed primary activity (persons with a self-employed secondary activity are only eligible if the contributions they have to pay are at least equal to the contributions persons with a self-employed primary activity have to pay)
• self-employed persons who are unable to work
• former self-employed persons (up to the last day of the second quarter following the quarter during which the activity was suspended)
• self-employed persons who benefit from a continued insurance
• self-employed persons declared bankrupt
• self-employed persons deprived of their freedom
• retired self-employed persons
• the surviving spouse of a self-employed person
• orphans

Several rightful claimants
Several Belgian child benefit regulations
Effect of foreign child benefit regulations