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A major reform is preparing to come into force within CAF. The changes will greatly impact, or even penalize, certain social assistance applicants. Indeed, a new criterion becomes essential for benefit from CAF services. Find out what's changing, why it matters to you.
A decree which reorganizes access to CAF aid
From January 1, 2025, a new rule will modify access to family and social benefits in France. In fact, the Decree No. 2024-361 of April 19, 2024 now makes stable residence compulsory in order to benefit from CAF aid.
In other words, it will no longer be enough to live in France occasionally or temporarily to obtain benefits. From January, you will have to prove that you reside in a stable and regular manner on French territory.
The reform aims to strengthen social justice and avoid abuse. This is a measure to better target families residing long-term and legally in France. The CAF and other competent organizations must therefore verify this condition before granting any aid. This therefore implies that your requests must include proof of residence.
To have
Bad news for millions of CAF beneficiaries from January 2025
However, the measure goes further, because the required length of residence also changes for the applicants.
CAF aid affected by this change
This reform impacts numerous CAF services. First of all, this concerns classic family benefits, but also a wide range of aid, according to the website of the Service Public.
Among them, we find the Childcare benefit for young children (Paje), family allowances et the family complement. Aid that benefits families with dependent children.
But that's not all: other services like back-to-school allowance, housing allowance, education allowance for disabled childrenet daily parental attendance allowance will also be affected.
For all this aid, you will now have to prove that you reside in France for at least 9 months per yearcompared to 6 months previously. This condition applies even to services such as family support allowancewhich aims to support single parents. It also concerns the lump sum allowance paid in the event of the death of a child.
To have
CAF payment schedule in 2025 finally revealed
“There is no nationality condition”
The change applies to people covered by French social security schemes. In other words, if you work or are affiliated with Social Security, you will find yourself affected by this change. For those who do not have French nationality, please note that this is not an obstacle to obtaining aid from the CAF. But it is necessary meet the residency criteria.
The Service Public specifies that “There is no nationality condition” to benefit from family benefits. Indeed, foreigners can benefit from it, provided that they meet the residence conditions.
You can therefore obtain assistance from CAF even if you are not a French citizen. Still, you must prove that you are living stable in France.
In certain exceptional cases, the organization grants a right to family benefits, even without residence in France. Indeed, a convention internationale or a community regulation may deviate from this rule.
How to prove your residence in France
So, how do you go about proving your residence in France to the CAF? There are several ways to achieve this. You will be able to present documents such as rent receipts, energy or telecommunications bills, tax notices, etc.
In summary, any document that proves that you reside on French territory in a stable and regular manner can serve as proof.
