Should we report a change in situation (relocation, separation, unemployment...) when we receive family benefits?
Verified 13 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you receive family benefits, you must report any change in circumstances personal, family or professional. This may concern a move, a cohabitation, the conclusion of a Civil partnerships: titleContent, a marriage, a separation or a divorce. It may also be the arrival or departure from the home of a child or dependent.
Depending on whether you depend on the general plan, the approach to follow will vary (Caf: titleContent) or the agricultural scheme (MSA: titleContent):
Caf
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Change in family situation
You have to declare quickly your change of circumstances.
You can do this directly in your online account:
Family Allowances and Benefits - Statement of Situation (Caf)
If you don't have a Caf account, you can create one. You need to:
- Your Social Security number if you have one (number on your card)
- Your ID.
FYI
If you are in a relationship and do not receive family benefits, ask your Caf: titleContent : your new situation may give you rights. For the Caf, it is not not necessary to be married or placed to be considered as living in a couple.
The FCA recognizes that it is possible to be mistaken in good faith in its statements. It's the right to error.
Contact your Caf as soon as possible to inform them of your error and regularize your situation.
FYI
If you would like more information, you can consult the site Public Services + which identifies the most common errors and explains how to correct them.
Change of domicile
You can report your change of address using the online change of address service:
You can reapply for housing assistance for your new address as soon as you enter the premises so as not to lose any rights.
Even if you already benefit from this service, you must make a new request in the My Account Area:
If you don't have a Caf account, you can create one. You need to:
- Your Social Security number if you have one (number on your card)
- Your ID.
The FCA recognizes that it is possible to be mistaken in good faith in its statements. It's the right to error.
Contact your Caf as soon as possible to inform them of your error and regularize your situation.
FYI
If you would like more information, you can consult the site Public Services + which identifies the most common errors and explains how to correct them.
Change in professional situation
You must report in particular the following events:
- You found work
- You are unemployed after registering at France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi)
- You're retired
- You are in long-term illness, disability or
- You work in France for a foreigners employer
- You work abroad.
You have to declare quickly your change of circumstances.
You can do this directly in your online account:
Family Allowances and Benefits - Statement of Situation (Caf)
If you don't have a Caf account, you can create one. You need to:
- Your Social Security number if you have one (number on your card)
- Your ID.
The FCA recognizes that it is possible to be mistaken in good faith in its statements. It's the right to error.
Contact your Caf as soon as possible to inform them of your error and regularize your situation.
FYI
If you would like more information, you can consult the site Public Services + which identifies the most common errors and explains how to correct them.
MSA
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Change in family situation
You must quickly declare your change of situation.
The declaration of separation concerns you if you are in a couple whether you are married, past or in a common-law relationship (marital life, cohabitation).
You can report the change directly in your online account:
FYI
If you are in a relationship and do not receive family benefits, ask your MSA: titleContent. Your new situation may give you rights.
The FCA recognizes that it is possible to be mistaken in good faith in its statements. It's the right to error.
Contact your Caf as soon as possible to inform them of your error and regularize your situation.
FYI
If you would like more information, you can consult the site Public Services + which identifies the most common errors and explains how to correct them.
Change of domicile
You can report your change of address using the online change of address service:
Please note
This information allows the MSA: titleContent readjust your rights. If you do not do so, you may be in a situation of fraud and you will be asked to pay penalties.
If you change department, you will automatically be affiliated to your future MSA.
The FCA recognizes that it is possible to be mistaken in good faith in its statements. It's the right to error.
Contact your Caf as soon as possible to inform them of your error and regularize your situation.
FYI
If you would like more information, you can consult the site Public Services + which identifies the most common errors and explains how to correct them.
Change in professional situation
You must report in particular the following events:
- You found a job
- You are a jobseeker
- You've retired.
You have to declare quickly your change of situation via the internet.
You can report the change directly in your online account under Reporting a Change of Situation:
The FCA recognizes that it is possible to be mistaken in good faith in its statements. It's the right to error.
Contact your Caf as soon as possible to inform them of your error and regularize your situation.
FYI
If you would like more information, you can consult the site Public Services + which identifies the most common errors and explains how to correct them.
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)
Online service
Online service
National Family Allowance Fund (Cnaf)
Ministry responsible for the civil service