A Breton mother deprived of social benefits following an administrative imbroglio

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In Morbihan, Laura* saw her life change dramatically poverty when her daughter is a few months old. The reason? A declaration error corrected three days later by her ex-companion will plunge the couple into a cheating administrative between the family allowance fund (CAF) and the agricultural social mutuality (MSA).

The dematerialization and the lack of interlocutors, will lose everything to the young woman. Testimony.

In Morbihan, poverty is becoming more feminine

The latest figures from Secours Catholique show that the poverty is becoming more feminized. In Morbihan, the women helped by Secours Catholique represent 63 % accompanied people. Single mothers represent 24%. Laura has been part of it for several months now.

For the young mother, it all started a little before the birth of her daughter, when the young woman's ex-partner declare their cohabitation to his organization, the MSA following the purchase of their house and their move in together.

In his statement, he trompe. He gives his date of becoming a couple with the young woman instead of their date of moving in together, three years later. The error is corrected three days later, but for the couple, it was the start of problems.

Imbroglio between CAF and MSA

Laura's partner is affiliated with the MSA while Laura is with the CAF. Following the error and despite the rectification and evidence proving their error and their good faith, the organizations begin to ask for certain refunds social benefits for the couple.

In the meantime, Laura, affiliated with CAF, switches to her ex-spouse's agricultural social security without knowing why. At the end of 2024, she still has no answer.

The beginning of the problems begins for the couple from whom the CAF asks the reimbursement of the birth bonus which was attributed to him as well as the childcare service for young children (PAJE), assistance that the young woman would have received for two months. In total, the couple is asked to repay 1,389 euros.

I received letters requesting reimbursement of the birth bonus from CAF. So I called the MSA to figure it out. They told me: “don’t worry Madam, we will manage the file. The MSA will reimburse CAF directly.”

However, nothing changes. The reminder letters continue.

While the couple's little girl was born prematurely a few weeks after the couple's declaration of cohabitation, the ex-spouses had to hold on. Laura will stay several months in neonatology with his daughter.

Her ex-spouse will not emerge from this period unscathed. He will make a burn-out parentalleading him to request an amicable end to his contract with his employer. Laura, then on maternity leave, but unemployed, found a fixed-term contract.

During this time, the situation administrative of the couple is not moving forward. The MSA would not take into account the rectification of the couple's error, their dossier finds himself blocked and they cannot receive social benefits. At that time, Laura had requested to receive the activity bonus, as the file was blocked, she would not be able to receive anything.

An error in a file and a life that changes

Therefore, it is the gear for the couple. Basic allowance, employment bonus… despite requests and reminders, the couple will receive nothing. Worse, the MSA will ask him for reimbursement of aid not received.

We received messages saying that we were going to receive a certain benefit, but it was indicated as zero next to the benefit. Then, we received a second message asking us to reimburse this service. Benefit that we had never received.

“When we finally managed to get them on the phone, no one knew how to give us any explanations, but on the other hand we asked us to reimburse,” she adds.

A situation which will damage the couple, already weakened by several months of neonatology. For Laura, “it was too much”. In April, at the end of her strength, she suffered a serious depression and must be hospitalized. The couple, very weakened by the premature birth of their daughter and the stress caused by their administrative problems, separates.

MSA made me lose everything: my relationship, my house, my job, my health…

Secours Catholique as support

In May 2024, Laura's financial situation does not allow her to properly provide for herself and her daughter. She contacted the Communal Social Action Center (CCAS) in her town, which links it with Secours Catholique. Laura will become a beneficiary of the solidarity grocery store. The Red Cross will provide her with diapers and she will benefit from emergency food packages.

Today, Laura is no longer at MSA. She East once again affiliated with CAF and “finally breathe” as she says. The solidarity grocery store was a great help to him. In addition to helping him feed himself, she worked there.

I compare this story to a jewelry box full of necklaces that has been shaken. The MSA tied knots on all my necklaces. It took me a year and a half to untie them. I was caught by the throat. These were my chains.

The year 2025 promises to be under best auspices for the mother who has just found a work and confides “to take a breather before reopening another chapter of his life”.

Laura is an assumed name.

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