In social assistance settings - CPAS/OCMW, Fedasil or the Red Cross - comprehension is not an afterthought but a fundamental right. A professional community interpreter or social interpreter ensures that people in vulnerable situations know their rights, can explain their circumstances and receive the services they are entitled to.
Why does social assistance require a professional interpreter?
Social assistance procedures at CPAS/OCMW (Public Centre for Social Welfare), Fedasil (asylum seeker reception) or the Red Cross involve sensitive information about family composition, financial situation, health and legal status. An interpreter who knows social sector terminology and respects the ethics of community interpreting - neutrality, professional secrecy, no personal advice - is essential. Using a family member as interpreter violates the client's privacy, may lead to filtered information and increases the risk of errors due to lack of specialist knowledge.
What does our interpreting service for social assistance cover?
- Liaison interpreting at CPAS/OCMW intake interviews and social investigations
- Community interpreting at Fedasil reception centres and registration centres (Brussels, Neder-over-Heembeek)
- Interpreting at the Red Cross for humanitarian assistance interviews
- Social sector terminology: living wage (revenu d'intégration), social integration, supported housing, debt mediation
- Professional secrecy guaranteed - strictly in line with the BVVB deontological code
- Available throughout Belgium: Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège, Charleroi and other municipalities
- Telephone interpreting for urgent cases outside office hours
- Language pairs for the most vulnerable communities: Arabic, Tigrinya, Dari, Somali, Albanian
TranslateBE
Interpreter for social assistance - quote within 1 hour
CPAS/OCMW, Fedasil or Red Cross appointment? Receive a quote within 1 hour for a professional community interpreter with knowledge of social terminology and ethics.
Recommended interpreting mode for social assistance
- Liaison interpreting: the standard for CPAS/OCMW and Fedasil interviews - the interpreter alternates between parties, asks no personal questions and gives no advice
- Telephone interpreting: for urgent contacts outside office hours or when a physical interpreter cannot arrive quickly enough
- Video interpreting: for follow-up interviews conducted remotely via the social service's platform
Rates for social assistance interpreting
| Service | Duration | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | ≤ 4h | €250–400 |
| Full day | ≤ 8h | €450–700 |
| Travel | - | +€0.40/km |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the social interpreting service confidential and does it comply with professional secrecy?
Yes. All TranslateBE interpreters are bound by professional secrecy and follow the deontological code of the Belgian Association of Translators and Interpreters (BVVB). Information about a client's situation, health or legal status is never shared outside the assignment.
Which languages are available for CPAS/OCMW and Fedasil interpreting services?
TranslateBE provides interpreters in more than 70 languages. For social assistance in Belgium the most requested languages are: Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, Somali, Albanian, Georgian, Russian, Turkish, Kurdish and Romanian. Contact us for rare languages.
How early should an interpreter be booked for a CPAS/OCMW interview?
For planned CPAS/OCMW intake interviews, a booking of 48 hours in advance is recommended. For urgent situations (crisis shelter, emergency applications), TranslateBE offers telephone interpreting within the hour. Physical presence in express 24 hours is possible for the most commonly requested languages.
What is the difference between a liaison interpreter and a community interpreter in the social sector?
A community interpreter is specialised in social contexts: they know the social sector terminology, understand the cultural background of the client and respect the ethical code of the social sector. A general liaison interpreter does not necessarily have this specialisation. TranslateBE provides social interpreters with specific training in community interpreting.
Book your social interpreter - express 24 hours
Urgent CPAS/OCMW or Fedasil interview? TranslateBE provides professional community interpreters in express 24 hours, including rare languages for vulnerable communities.