Basic allowance of the payment made at the birth of a child
Verified 01 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The Early Childhood Care Benefit (ECCB) Basic Allowance is designed to help you finance the costs of maintaining and raising a child. Your child must be less than 3 years old. The allowance is paid on a means-tested basis. We explain the regulations you need to know.
What applies to you ?
Warning
The rules concerning entitlement to the basic allowance of the EAP in the event of adoption are different.
You are entitled to the basic allowance if you meet the following 2 conditions:
- You have a dependent child under 3 years of age
- Your income is below a certain limit.
To be eligible for the birth bonus, your resources must not exceed an amount determined according to your family situation. It's the categorical net income of 2024 which is taken into account for 2026. The rules are different if you are lone parent :
Couple
Number of dependent child(ren) (born or unborn) | Couple with 2 incomes | Couple with one income |
|---|---|---|
1 child | €49,054 | €37,118 |
2 children | €56,478 | €44,542 |
3 children | €65,386 | €53,450 |
Per additional child | €8,908 | €8,908 |
There are 2 revenues if each receives an annual amount of €6,306 or more (in 2024) from an occupational activity or daily allowances for accidents at work or occupational diseases.
Single parent
Number of dependent children (born or unborn) | Resource cap |
|---|---|
1 child | €49,054 |
2 children | €56,478 |
3 children | €65,386 |
Per additional child | €8,908 |
The situation differs depending on whether you depend on the Caf: titleContent (general regime) or MSA: titleContent (agricultural scheme).
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General case (Caf)
You must send your Caf the following 2 documents:
- Legible copy of family booklet pages
- Extract or full copy of thebirth certificate of the child.
Agricultural Scheme (MSA)
You must send to your agricultural social mutuality (MSA) the following 2 documents:
- Legible copy of family booklet pages
- Extract or full copy of thebirth certificate of the child.
The situation differs depending on whether you are a couple or a single parent:
Couple
Couple with 1 income
Number of dependent children | Income | Amount |
|---|---|---|
1 child | Less than €31,066 | €198.16 |
Enter €31,066 and €37,118 | €99.08 | |
2 children | Less than €37,279 | €198.16 |
Enter €37,279 and €44,542 | €99.08 | |
3 children | Less than €44,735 | €198.16 |
Enter €44,735 and €53,450 | €99.08 |
Couple with 2 incomes
Number of dependent children | Income | Amount |
|---|---|---|
1 child | Less than €41,055 | €198.16 |
Enter €41,055 and €49,054 | €99.08 | |
2 children | Less than €47,268 | €198.16 |
Enter €47,268 and €56,478 | €99.08 | |
3 children | Less than €54,724 | €198.16 |
Enter €54,724 and €65,386 | €99.08 |
Single parent
Number of dependent children | Income | Amount |
|---|---|---|
1 child | Less than €41,055 | €198.16 |
Enter €41,055 and €49,054 | €99.08 | |
2 children | Less than €47,268 | €198.16 |
Enter €47,268 and €56,478 | €99.08 | |
3 children | Less than €54,724 | €198.16 |
Enter €54,724 and €65,386 | €99.08 |
It is due from 1er day of the month following birth of the child.
The basic allowance is paid monthly for 3 years until the month preceding the 3rde the child's birthday.
Example :
If the child was born on February 15, the allowance begins to be paid on February 1er April to March.
In case of multiple births, the Caf pays you as many basic allowances as children born of same delivery.
FYI
In the event of the child's death, the basic allowance is automatically extended for 3 months after death. Parents may not be subject to any age or length of payment conditions.
The payment of the basic allowance can therefore be maintained beyond the child's 3 years of age.
The basic allocation of the Paje is cumulative with the daily parental attendance allowance (AJPP).
The basic allocation is not cumulative with:
- The family supplement
- The basic allowance of the Paje for another child under 3 years.
Indeed, the allowance is allocated only to only one child per family at a time. But in the case of multiple births, it is paid for each child.
FYI
In Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion, the basic allocation does not accumulate with family allowances and increases in such allowances paid in respect of a dependent child, or with the family supplement.
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)
Basic allocation of the Paje: Article L531-3
Amount: Article D531-3
Family benefits paid monthly (start and end of entitlement)
Online service