CAF: a guide

The CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) system is a social welfare organization in France responsible for distributing various financial aids and allowances to individuals and families based on their income conditions and specific needs. The CAF provides assistance for housing, childcare, family benefits, disability support, and more. It aims toensure a fair and supportive environment for those in need, promoting social welfare and enhancing the well-being of beneficiaries across the country. Applicants can access these aids through a straightforward application process, often online, and the CAF works to simplify and streamline the assistance delivery to reach those who require it most.

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Also read: CAF France: Get APL as an international student

Financial aid is a must!

If you're renting a place in France for more than 8 months, you may qualify for housing assistance, commonly known as APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement). The CAF (Caisse d'Allocation Familiale) is the organization responsible for providing this aid, and their website offers a convenient platform to apply. To further aid applicants, the CAF has developed explanatory videos, guiding them through the application process seamlessly. Beyond housing assistance, the CAF extends its support to various financial aids, including childcare, family benefits, and disability assistance, striving to foster an inclusive society and enhance the well-being of individuals and families across the country. As an essential pillar of France's social support system, the CAF's commitment to social welfare continues to make a positive impact on the lives of numerous beneficiaries.

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Being eligible

If you are a French or foreign student residing in France and paying rent, you may be eligible to apply for APL. The primary aim of APL is to alleviate the financial burden of housing costs, particularly for students, ensuring they can access affordable housing and focus on their studies without undue financial stress. Additionally, APL fosters an inclusive environment for international students, promoting cultural exchange and support.

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The conditions to get the CAF

•  Be French or a foreigner in a regular situation.

•  Live a minimum of 8 months in you raccommodation

•  Be a tenant or roommate. The owner of the accommodation must not be the father, mother, one of the grand parents, spouse or child of the student.

•  Not be provided with free accommodation.

•  Not receiving the ALS (Social Housing Allowance) or ALF (Family Housing Allowance).

•  Not to exceed the defined resource levels. 

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The required documents

To get the housing assistance delivered by the CAF, you will have to prepare a number of documents.

We advise you to do the procedure online much easier and, more intuitive than on paper!

For this procedure, you will need the following documents:

•  ID/ Passport

•  Rental contract

•  Certificate of rent

•  RIB (French bank statement)

After receiving your application, here are the additional documents that may be required depending on your situation:

•  Valid residence permit (or visa validation)

•  School certificate

•  Birth certificate translated into French and sworn 

•  Ressources letter

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How to send a document

If you find yourself needing to submit adocument to the CAF but are unsure about the process, don't worry—there are various options available to you!

For beneficiaries

1. If the CAF requests you to submit a document, simply log in to your personal space "My account" on caf.fr or the Caf-mon Compte mobile app. Head to the "Mes démarches" (My procedures) section, click on the "À transmettre" (To be submitted) tab, and proceed to upload your documents hassle-free.

2. In case the CAF asks for a document but you are unable to do it through your account, they have a convenient email address dedicated to document submissions. You can easily send your documents to transmettreundocument.cafXX@info-caf.fr (replace XX with the department number). Don't forget to include the purpose of your request and your beneficiary number for a smooth and expedited processing of your submission.

If you are not a beneficiary yet

1. If you wish to apply for a benefit, the good news is that most of these procedures can be conveniently completed online. Visit caf.fr, navigate to the "apply for a benefit" section, and follow each step of the application process provided.

2. In the event the CAF requests you to submi ta document to complete your benefit application, there are two ways to do it. If the CAF communicates the request by post, you must return the documents via mail to the address of the CAF office in your town. On the other hand, if the request comes through email, you can effortlessly send the documents via email to transmettreundocument.cafXX@info-caf.fr (replace XX with the department number).

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With Livinfrance, you can have peace of mind knowing that we have a dedicated support system to lean on during your CAF journey. We are committed to promptly addressing any inquiries and providing personalized assistance to meet the unique needs of each applicant. Our user-friendly online platform provides a convenient and accessible way for individuals to get started with their CAF application. Whether it's understanding the different benefits available or learning how to make an appointment, LivinFrance guides applicants through each essential aspect. Have a great CAF journey!

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