Good news for French families: a significant bonus will be automatically increased this summer. And it will be paid in August, a few days before the start of the school year, which involves a lot of expenses.
French families will receive good news for the start of the 2024 school year. The back-to-school allowance, this valuable aid that helps cover the costs of school supplies, will be increased. This increase comes at just the right time for around three million households that rely on this financial support.
The back-to-school allowance is intended for families with children in school, students or apprentices aged 6 to 18. And like other social benefits, it was subject to a 4.6% increase on 1 April 2024. However, its amount varies depending on the age of the children. For the 2024 school year, the amounts will be 416.40 euros for children aged 6 to 10, 439.38 euros for those aged 11 to 14, and 454.60 euros for adolescents aged 15 to 18. This increase compared to the previous year aims to better meet the growing needs of families who have had to deal with widespread inflation for the past two years.
To benefit from this allowance, families must meet certain resource conditions. Net annual income by category, i.e. income after deduction of charges and tax allowances, must not exceed specific ceilings. For example, for a family with one dependent child, the ceiling is 27,141 euros per year. For two dependent children, it is 33,404 euros per year. This amount increases to 39,667 euros for a family with three children, and to 45,930 euros for four children. If the family’s income slightly exceeds these ceilings, a differential allowance may be paid.
This year, the back-to-school bonus will be paid on August 20, 2024. Parents of children aged 6 to 15 will see the payment made automatically if they are CAF or MSA beneficiaries. However, for children enrolled in CP before reaching the age of six, a school certificate will be required. Adolescents aged 16 to 18 will have to declare their schooling online via the CAF or MSA websites in order to receive the allowance.
This financial assistance is crucial for many families, especially as education costs continue to rise. It helps ensure that all children have what they need to start the school year in the best possible conditions. This allows parents to focus on supporting their children without worrying about the significant back-to-school expenses.