In brief
- Family allowances are paid to individuals with at least 2 dependent children under 20 years old.
- The amount depends on income, the number of children, and their ages.
- The process is automatic if you are already a recipient of Caf or MSA.
- Verified on April 1, 2026 by Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).
Who can apply
Conditions regarding children
You must have at least 2 dependent children under 20 years old.
Residency condition in France
The rules differ depending on whether you have French nationality or not.
If you are French
You must be in one of the following situations:
- Have your habitual residence in France.
- Stay in France for more than 9 months of the year (consecutive or not).
Your child must also reside in France. If they leave the country for more than 3 months, even alone, the allowances are suspended. However, they are maintained if the child is in one of the following situations:
- They are spending one or more periods abroad for studies or medical care in a neighboring country and return regularly to their family (for example: the family lives in Alsace and the child studies at a German institution).
- They are staying abroad to learn a foreign language, receive care, continue their studies, or vocational training (apprenticeship in a company, etc.).
If you are a foreigner
You must be in one of the following situations:
- Have your habitual residence in France.
- Stay in France for more than 9 months of the year (consecutive or not).
You must also meet certain conditions related to the legality of your stay.
Your child must also reside in France. If they leave the country for more than 3 months, even alone, the allowances are suspended. However, they are maintained if the child is in one of the following situations:
- They are spending one or more periods abroad for studies or medical care in a neighboring country and return regularly to their family (for example: the family lives in Alsace and the child studies in Germany).
- They are staying abroad to learn a foreign language, receive care, continue their studies, or vocational training (apprenticeship in a company, etc.).
Note: The rules are different in overseas departments.
Steps
The process differs depending on whether you are under Caf (Caisse d'allocations familiales) or MSA (Mutualité sociale agricole).
General case (Caf)
You are already a recipient
Caf automatically grants family allowances as soon as it is informed of a 2nd dependent child. You must report the birth by sending a copy of the family record book or the child's birth certificate.
You are not yet a recipient
You must fill out forms cerfa n°11423 and n°10397 and send them to your Caf. Specify your place of residence before downloading the forms.
Agricultural scheme (MSA)
You are already a recipient
MSA automatically grants family allowances as soon as it is informed of a 2nd dependent child. You must report the birth by sending a copy of the family record book or the child's birth certificate.
You are not yet a recipient
You must register online on the MSA website via "MSA - My private space".
Documents
- Copy of the family record book or the child's birth certificate (for the birth declaration).
- Forms cerfa n°11423 and n°10397 (only for non-recipients under Caf).
Cost
The application is free.
Processing times
The official text does not specify a specific processing time but indicates that allowances are granted as soon as the fund is informed of the 2nd dependent child for existing recipients.
Amount of allowances
The amount of allowances varies according to your income. The net taxable income for 2024 is taken into account for assessing your rights for the year 2026. It must not exceed a limit that varies according to your situation.
Possible increase
- If your child was born before March 1, 2012, you received a monthly increase for them at age 14.
- If your child was born after March 1, 2012, the monthly increase occurs at your child's 18th birthday.
- However, if you only have 2 dependent children, you will not receive an increase for the eldest.
Table of amounts for 2 children
| Income | Base amount | Increase at 14 years (child born before March 1, 2012) or 18 years (born after March 1, 2012) |
|---|---|---|
| €79,980 or less | €152.25 | + €76.13 only for the 2nd child |
| Between €79,980 and €106,604 inclusive | €76.13 | + €38.07 only for the 2nd child |
| More than €106,604 | €38.07 | + €19.03 only for the 2nd child |
Table of amounts for 3 children
| Income | Base amount | Increase per child |
|---|---|---|
| €86,644 or less | €347.32 | + €76.13 per child |
| Between €86,644 and €113,268 inclusive | €173.67 | + €38.07 per child |
| More than €113,268 | €86.83 | + €19.03 per child |
Table of amounts for 4 children
| Income | Base amount | Increase per child |
|---|---|---|
| €93,308 or less | €542.39 | + €76.13 per child |
| Between €93,308 and €119,932 inclusive | €271.20 | + €38.07 per child |
| More than €119,932 | €135.60 | + €19.03 per child |
Temporary flat-rate allowance (large family)
When a child turns 20, they cease to be counted as a dependent child. For a family with at least 3 children, the loss can be significant. To mitigate this reduction, a temporary flat-rate allowance is paid if the following conditions are met (non-exhaustive list in the provided excerpt, particularly regarding the child's professional income):
- The 20-year-old child must still live in the recipient's household.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Forgetting to report the birth if you are already a recipient, even though the allocation is automatic upon knowledge of the 2nd child.
- Not checking the legality of your stay if you are a foreigner.
- Confusing birth dates for the increase (before or after March 1, 2012).