What is a dependent child for family benefits?
Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
To be eligible for family benefits, a child must be the actual and permanent dependent of the recipient (parent, guardian, etc.). If he works, his remuneration should not exceed 55% of Smic: titleContent. Other conditions (age not to be exceeded, autonomy of the child) must be met. We explain the rules to know.
He is not it is not necessary for there to be a filiation link between the person raising the child and the child.
It can be a child taken in (brother, niece or nephew...).
In order for the child to be considered a dependent, the recipient must insure the effective and permanent load. Thus, it must:
- Financially ensure its maintenance (food, housing, clothing)
- And assume emotional and educational responsibility for him.
The child must live permanently in France. Stays abroad should not, in principle, exceed 3 months during a calendar year.
A child is considered to be a dependent:
- From pregnancy for the birth bonus or the active solidarity income (ASR)
- Until he's three
- From 3 years to 15 years if he fulfills thecompulsory schooling.
The child is considered dependent until his or her 20 years (21 years for the allocation of the family supplement and housing allowances) if his net monthly remuneration does not exceed a certain amount.
The rules differ depending on the status of the child.
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The child continues his studies
If the child is in school or a student and works, the child's net remuneration must not exceed 55% of Smic: titleContent (for 169 hours) to continue to be considered a dependent.
Salaries are taken into account over a period of 6 months (from 1er october to march 31 and from 1er April to September 30). The total is then divided by 6.
The minimum wage taken into account depends on the period concerned:
Period concerned | Smic taken into account | Maximum pay |
|---|---|---|
Between October 2025 and March 2026 | Smic in force at 1er October 2025 | €1,104.25 |
Between April 2025 and September 2025 | Smic in force at 1er April 2024 | €1,082.87 |
Between October 2024 and March 2025 | Smic in force at 1er October 2024 | €1,082.87 |
Warning
As the amount of the SMIC was changed in 2025, the maximum remuneration per dependent child varies in 2026.
Example :
For the young person who perceived €1,219 net in july and august, the monthly average for period 1er april to september 30 is €2,438 divided by 6, or €403.33. As this amount is below the ceiling, family benefits are therefore maintained in full for the entire period.
If the average exceeds the ceiling, the young person no longer counts for the calculation of benefits only for the months in which the monthly ceiling was exceeded.
FYI
If the young person works during the holidays and does not resume his studies afterwards, the ceiling is appreciated every month from 1er months of activity and not per 6-month period.
He is an apprentice, trainee or employee
If the child works, is a trainee or apprentice, his monthly net income must not exceed €1,117.26 (55% the minimum wage for 169 hours).
If his remuneration exceeds the ceiling one or more months, the right to benefits is abolished for that month or those months.
A child ceases to be a dependent if he or she becomes a recipient of a family benefit.
This is the case of the young person who perceives personalized housing assistance (APL).
However, a child who is self-sufficient in family benefits is not necessarily self-sufficient in taxes.
Example :
A 19-year-old student without personal resources rents a home and receives the PLA.
- For family allowances : he is no longer dependent on his parents, even if he does not earn a living and has not exceeded the age limit
- For income tax : he may be declared a dependent of his parents.
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)
Allocation of family benefits
Rules for the allocation and allocation of benefits
Dependent child for family benefits (age and remuneration)
National Family Allowance Fund (Cnaf)