Family allowances (family of 2 or more children)
Verified 01 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Family allowances are paid to persons with at least two children under the age of 20. The amount of benefits depends on your resources, the number of dependent children and their age. We present you the information to know.
What applies to you ?
Warning
The rules are different in the overseas departments.
To find out if you are entitled to family allowances and if so for what amount, you can use a simulator :
Know the social benefits to which you may be entitled
Dependent children
You must have at least 2 dependent children under 20.
Residence in France
The rules differ depending on whether you have French nationality or not:
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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 he leaves the country for more than 3 months even alone, the allowances are suspended.
But they are maintained if the child is in one of the following situations:
- He makes one or more stays abroad for studies or medical care in a border country and he regularly returns to his family (for example: the family lives in Alsace and the child is studying in a German institution)
- He or she spends time abroad to learn a foreign language, receive care, pursue his or her studies or professional training (company apprenticeship, etc.).
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 also have to fill in some conditions related to the regularity of your stay.
Your child must also reside in France. If he leaves the country for more than 3 months even alone, the allowances are suspended. But they are maintained if the child is in one of the following situations:
- He makes one or more stays abroad for studies or medical care in a border country and he regularly returns to his family (example: the family lives in Alsace and the child studies in Germany)
- He or she spends time abroad to learn a foreign language, receive care, pursue his or her studies or professional training (company apprenticeship, etc.).
The approach differs depending on whether you depend on the Caf: titleContent or MSA: titleContent :
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General case (Caf)
The approach differs depending on whether you are a recipient or not:
Recipient
The FCA automatically awards family allowances as soon as it becomes aware of a 2e dependent child. You must declare the birth (by sending a copy of the family booklet or thebirth certificate child).
Non-recipient
You must fill in the cerfa forms n°11423 and n°10397 and send them to your Caf: titleContent. Specify your place of residence before downloading the forms.
Agricultural Scheme (MSA)
The approach differs depending on whether you are a recipient or not:
Recipient
The MSA automatically awards family allowances as soon as it becomes aware of a 2e dependent child.
You must declare the birth (by sending a copy of the family booklet or thebirth certificate child).
Non-recipient
You must register online on the MSA website.
The amount of the allowance varies according to your resources.
It's the categorical net income of 2024 that is taken into account for the review of your entitlements for the year 2026. It must not exceed a limit that varies according to your situation.
Basic amount and any increase
If your child was born before on 1er in march 2012, you received a monthly increase for him at the age of 14.
If your child was born after on 1er in march 2012, the monthly surcharge takes place at the age of 18 for your child.
However, if you only have 2 dependent children, you will not receive a premium for the elder.
The amount of benefits varies depending on your resources and the number of children:
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2 children
Resources | Basic amount | Increase to:
|
|---|---|---|
€79,980 or less | €152.25 | + €76.13 only for the 2th child |
Enter €79,980 and €106,604 included | €76.13 | + €38.07 only for the 2th child |
More than €106,604 | €38.07 | + €19.03 only for the 2th child |
3 children
Resources | Basic amount | Increase to:
|
|---|---|---|
€86,644 or less | €347.32 | + €76.13 per child |
Enter €86,644 and €113,268 included | €173.67 | + €38.07 per child |
More than €113,268 | €86.83 | + €19.03 per child |
4 children
Resources | Basic amount | Increase to:
|
|---|---|---|
€93,308 or less | €542.39 | + €76.13 per child |
Enter €93,308 and €119,932 included | €271.20 | + €38.07 per child |
More than €119,932 | €135.60 | + €19.03 per child |
Large family (3 or more children): temporary lump sum allowance
When a child reaches the age of 20, he or she ceases to be counted as a dependent child.
For a family of at least 3 children, the loss can be significant. To mitigate this reduction, a provisional lump sum allowance is paid if the following 3 conditions are met:
- The 20-year-old child must still live in the recipient's home
- He must not earn more than €1,117.26
- In the month preceding his 20th birthday, family allowances were paid for at least three children.
The temporary lump sum allowance shall be paid automatically until the month preceding the 21ste the child's birthday.
This temporary lump sum allowance depends on your resources and the number of children:
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3 children
Resources | Lump-sum allowance for a child concerned |
|---|---|
€86,644 or less | €96.27 |
Enter €86,644 and €113,268 included | €48.14 |
More than €113,268 | €24.07 |
4 children
Resources | Lump-sum allowance for a child concerned |
|---|---|
€93,308 or less | €96.27 |
Enter €93,308 and €119,932 included | €48.14 |
More than €119,932 | €24.07 |
Decreasing complement
A degressive top-up is paid if the family's resources narrowly exceed the family's ceiling.
The difference between the ceiling exceeded and the resources must not exceed 12 times the monthly amount of family allowances.
Example :
A family with 3 children has resources of €87,000 per year.
Its resources exceed the €86,644, in order to obtain the maximum family allowances of €347.32.
The difference between the family's resources and the exceeded ceiling is €356.
This difference is less than 12× €347.32The family can therefore perceive the degressive supplement.
To calculate the degressive complement, a formula applies:
(Exceeded ceiling + 12 x amount of family allowances - family resources)/12
Example :
For the family with 3 children who has resources of €87,000per year:
[€86,644 + (12 x €347.32) - €87,000]/12 = €317.65
The family can therefore receive a child benefit €314.65 per month.
You are entitled to family allowances from the month following the birth or reception of a 2e child, of a 3e child, etc.
Example :
If your second child is born on January 15, the right will be opened on January 1er February.
The increase for age is paid from the month following the 14the the child's birthday.
Allowances are paid on a monthly basis, with an expiry date.
Example :
Your second child is born on January 15. The benefits to which you are entitled for the month of February are paid to you in early March.
The payment of allowances shall cease as soon as the conditions are no longer fulfilled.
You have to differentiate according to whether you depend on the Caf: titleContent or MSA: titleContent :
Caf
Several changes may occur.
Change in family situation
Quickly report any changes in your family situation (examples: birth of a child, marriage, separation, unemployment).
Family Allowances and Benefits - Statement of Situation (Caf)
Change of domicile
You can report your change of address using the online change of address service:
MSA
Change in family situation
Quickly report any changes in your family situation (examples: birth of a child, marriage, separation, unemployment).
Example :
Being in a relationship can give you new rights. Ask your MSA: titleContent.
You can also go there or send the form cerfa no. 11423 by mail.
Family Allowances and Benefits - Statement of Situation (MSA)
Change of domicile
You can report your change of address using the online change of address service:
Please note
If you change department, the MSA of your home of departure will automatically take care of the transfer of the file to your new caisse. This transfer will take place as soon as you register your new address.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
If you depend on the general plan
Family Allowance Fund (Caf)If you depend on the farm system
Agricultural Social Mutuality (MSA)
Conditions for award
Allocation of surcharge
Monthly payment of family benefits (start and end of entitlement)
Resource limits for certain family benefits (page 201)
FAQ
National Family Allowance Fund (Cnaf)