Family allowances: return to the principle of universality?

On February 2, the Senate adopted at first reading a bill which aims to abolish, on 1 July 2022, the modulation of family allowances according to income of the household or of the person in charge of the children. The principle of universality of family allowances was established in 1946, but the 2015 social security financing law introduced a modulation of family allowances according to family income. Since then, they have been paid according to a scale with three income brackets. The amount of the allowance is thus divided by two for families whose resources are at the intermediate level and by four for the highest incomes. This bill must now be examined in the National Assembly.

For her part, Valérie Pécresse, the LR candidate in the presidential election, spoke out for the return to the universality of family allowances during the national council of the UDI which took place last January. It also proposes that a allowance of 900 euros per year to all parents who will have a first child, and this until his 18th birthday, in order to boost the birth rate in France.

Family allowances: for whom?

At the birth of a child, parents benefit from family benefits which allow them to welcome their newborn in the best conditions and to meet the expenses related to the birth of a child (childcare, clothing, schools, nanny, etc.). Family allowances are paid to people with at least 2 dependent children under the age of 20. (and from the first child in the overseas departments). They vary according to the resources of the family, the number and the age of the children. Depending on the number of children, family benefits are therefore not the same. For example, family allowances are paid from the second child, and the family supplement from three children.

What dates will family allowances be paid in 2022?

The social Security benefits are usually paid the 5th of the monthbut according to a decree published in the Official Journal of November 7, 2019, certain payment dates may be postponed, especially when the 5 falls on a weekend or a public holiday. Beneficiaries will then be paid the next business day. So here is the family allowance payment schedule for 2022 :

The latest news on family allowances

Family allowances: what are the resource ceilings?

Remember to take into account the 2020 categorical net income for the year 2022. It is therefore all income (salaries, income from land and furniture, agricultural profits, etc.) without charges (alimony, costs of care for the elderly, etc.) and tax allowances (person aged over 65, disabled person, etc.). So here are the applicable resource ceilings, ceilings in force until December 31, 2022:

What is the amount of family allowances in 2022?

here are the amounts in force until March 31, 2022:

Allowances paid from the first child

At the birth of your first childyou benefit from the Childcare benefit (Paje).

The birth bonus

The birth bonus of 948.27 euros (double if you give birth to twins). Since April 1, 2021, this birth bonus has been paid subject to means testing from the 7th month of pregnancy. If you receive the basic allowance from the Paje, then you will receive these two benefits at the same time.

The adoption bonus

Parents who adopt a child benefit from the adoption bonus in the amount of 1896.52 euros. In the event of multiple adoptions, the Caf pays as many premiums as there are adopted children.

Basic allowance

Paje basic allowance. It is paid on the first day of the month following the birth of your child, every month until the child’s third birthday.

Parental education leave

La shared child education benefit (PrePaRe). It concerns parents of children under the age of three, who stop working to take care of their child. The monthly amount this year amounts to 398.79 euros in the event of total cessation of activity, to 257.80 euros for a duration of work less than or equal to half-time, and to 148.72 euros for a duration of work between 50% and 80%.

The complement of the mode of care (CMG)

Other allowances are intended for families, such as the free choice of childcare supplement if you use a childminder, a nanny or a micro-nursery to look after your child under 6 years old.

What family allowances from 2 children?

Family allowances are paid each month to parents with at least two dependent children, aged under 20. Only exception: if you live in an overseas department (Guadeloupe, Guyana, Mayotte, Reunion), you can then receive family allowances from the first child. To benefit from family allowances, all you have to do is send the Caf a copy of your child’s family record book or birth certificate. As to amount of family allowances, it depends on your resources. In mainland France, for a family of two children with annual resources in 2019 of less than 69,933 euros, this benefit amounts to 132.08 euros.

An increase for children over 14 years old

Note thatan increase is paid when your second child is aged 14 or over. Remember that at the birth of your 2nd child (or more), you are also entitled (depending on your income) to the Childcare benefit (Paje) with:

• The birth bonus
• Paje basic allowance
• The shared child education benefit (PreParE)
• Free choice of childcare supplement (in case of employment of a nanny, childminder or micro-nursery).

What allowances paid from 3 children?

In addition to the usual benefits (birth bonus, Paje, PreParE, CMG) related to the birth of your third child (or more), you can also receive:

The family supplement

If you have at least three dependent children aged between 3 and 21, you can then benefit from the family supplement. To benefit from it, you do not have to do anything since the tax services send your information directly to the CAF.

The moving bonus

Large families (from 3 children) can benefit froma bonus allowing them to cover moving expenses. Know that you can also receive it if you have two dependent children and you are pregnant with the third. However, the move must take place between the 1st day of the 4th month of pregnancy and the last day of the month preceding the 2nd birthday of your last child. Finally, this bonus is paid to families who are entitled to APL or ALF for their new accommodation. The amount of the moving allowance is equal to the expenses incurred in the move, up to a limit of 994.56 euros. This amount is increased in steps of 82.88 euros per additional child.

The large family card for parents of 3 or more children

It allows you to obtain interesting reductions in many areas, some of which such as the RATP and the SNCF, as well as preferential rates on museums are particularly interesting.

Family allowances: up to what age?

Family allowances are paid until the child’s 20th birthday. Therefore, your eldest, aged 20, ceases to be counted as a dependent child. Also, to compensate for the reduction in income, parents of large families (at least three children) can benefit from a provisional lump sum allowance, paid under conditions. The child aged 20 must still live under your roof, he must not receive income greater than 943.44 euros and finally, the month preceding his 20th birthday, family allowances must have been paid for at least 3 children. Thus and depending on your income, the parents of 3 or 4 children benefit froma lump sum allowance for an amount between 20.80 euros and 83.19 euros. It will be paid until the month preceding the child’s 21st birthday.