Who receives family allowances for a child in alternating custody?

Verified 13 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Family allowances are paid differently depending on whether the parents are whether or not to agree on the beneficiary or beneficiaries.

Alternate custody (or alternating residence) is the fact of fixing the residence of the child alternately at the home of each of the parents.

Alternate residence may only concern children residing alternately at the home of each of their parents in one the following situations:

  • The Family Court Judge (Jaf) determined the residence of the child alternately at the home of each of his parents. Alternate residence is effectively implemented.
  • In the event of a declaration of alternate residence made jointly by the 2 parents to the Caf or the MSA
  • In the event of a declaration of alternate residence made by one parent and not contested by the other to the Caf or the MSA.

FYI  

If you have only one dependent child, you can not not collect family allowances.

Parents' agreement

In case of alternating residence of your children, you can:

  • Either designate parent who will be the beneficiary of the package of family benefits
  • Either choose to share the family allowances and designate 1 single beneficiary (you or the other parent) for other benefits By choosing the division of family allowances, each parent receives half of the amount.

Reminder

Division is permitted only for family allowances. Other benefits do not qualify.

For the declaration of the choice, the rules vary according to your situation:

Caf

You must fill in the cerfa form n°14000 and send it to your Caf.

Child(ren) in alternating residence - Declaration and choice of parents

Warning  

You can only change your choice after1 year (unless your children's residence conditions change). At the end of this 1 year period, this choice is tacitly renewed if you do not take steps.

MSA

You must fill in the cerfa form n°14000 and send it to your cash register.

Child(ren) in alternating residence - Declaration and choice of parents

Warning  

You can only change your choice after1 year (unless your children's residence conditions change). At the end of this 1 year period, this choice is tacitly renewed if you do not take steps.

Disagreement of parents

If you disagree with the other parent, you automatically receive a share of the family allowances, the same for the other parent.

This share depends on the composition of your family.

The other benefits will be paid in full to the one of the 2 parents designated to benefit from them.

For reporting, the rules vary depending on your situation:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You depend on the Caf

You must fill in the cerfa form n°14000 and send it to your Caf.

Child(ren) in alternating residence - Declaration and choice of parents

You depend on the MSA

You must fill in the cerfa form n°14000 and send it to your cash register.

Child(ren) in alternating residence - Declaration and choice of parents

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

FAQ