Personalised Housing Aid (APL) in France

What are the conditions for receiving APL?

Are you wondering if you can benefit frompersonalised housing assistance (APL)to reduce your rent or occupancy fee,especially if you are a resident in a care home(e.g., Ehpad, student residence)?

Here are the conditions to meetand the steps to followaccording to your situation.

To quickly check your eligibility,you can use theCaf simulator.

People concerned

You can receive APL if you are:

• A tenant.
• A declared subtenant with the host's consent,if you are under 30 years oldor if you are staying with a foster family.

There is no minimum age requirement.A minor can therefore receive APL,provided that the lease is signed by their parents.

The rent receipt can be issued in their name.If you are an emancipated minor,the lease must be in your name.

Foreign nationals must have avalid residence permit.
Nationals of the European Union,the European Economic Areaand Switzerlanddo not need a residence permit.

Conditions related to the accommodation

APL only applies to yourmain residence,occupied for at least 8 months per year,except in special cases(professional reasons, health, or force majeure).

The accommodation must meetdecency standardsand minimum occupancy conditions.

It must also beapproved,meaning it is subject toan agreement between the Stateand the host or managing body.

This is often the case for HLM housing.Your host can confirmif the accommodation is approved.

Conditions related to income

APL is awardedsubject to income conditions,based on your household compositionand the accommodation's location.

The income taken into accountcorresponds to thelast 12 monthsand is automatically re-evaluatedevery 3 months.

Therefore, you haveno steps to take:Caf or MSA directly obtainthe information from tax authoritiesor France Travail.

How to apply for APL?

The process depends on your scheme:

• Caisse d'allocations familiales (Caf)for the general scheme.
• Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA)for the agricultural scheme.

The application is madeentirely online.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Double-sided copy of youridentity document(CNI, passport, or birth certificate extract)or valid residence permit.
• Bank account details(RIB, RIP, or RICE)in your name.
• Rent certificatecompleted, dated, and signedby your host.

How is APL calculated?

The amount of your APL depends onseveral criteria:

• The number of dependants in your household.
• Your income,that of your spouseor people regularly living with you.
• The value of your assets(property and financial)if it exceeds €30,000.
• The amount of your rent.

To get a reliable estimate,use theCaf simulator.

How is APL paid?

Generally,APL ispaid directly to the landlord,who deducts it from the rent owed.

It is due from the1st day of the following monthafter your rights open.

👉 Example:if you apply in February,the first payment will occurin early March.

Payments are madeon the 5th of each month.

What to do if your situation changes?

Any change in situation(moving, bank details,family situation, etc.)must bedeclared to Caf or MSA.

This declaration can be madeonlineor directly with your organisation.