Summary of financial aid for parents

The arrival of a child turns everyday life upside down and, financially, it is not always easy. To remedy this, financial aid is offered to future and young parents! The family allowances fund (CAF) can grant you various aids such as the childcare benefit (Paje) or family allowances (Af)… And these benefits can be combined with each other.

What does Paje offer you?

Introduced in January 2004, the childcare benefit (Paje) is a financial aid that allows parents to meet part of the needs of their young children. Divided into several benefits, it only concerns young parents with a child (or more) under 3 years old.

Paje: the birth bonus

You will benefit from the birth bonus in the first three months after the birth of your baby. This benefit, in the amount of €923.09, is paid to you so that you can meet the first expenses related to the arrival of your little one! Paid once for each child, it will allow you to decorate the baby's room, buy him his first bodysuits or even stock up on diapers!

Please note that you can benefit from this benefit if your income does not exceed the following ceilings (2016 resources, for the year 2018):

Paje: the basic allowance

Then comes a second benefit, the basic allowance in the amount of €184.62 if it is received at the full rate or €92.31 at the partial rate. This will help you ensure the education and maintenance of your little heart since it will be paid to you each month from the birth of your baby until he is 3 years old. But beware, not everyone receives the basic allowance. Indeed, for this aid to be granted to you, your annual income for 2016 must not exceed the following ceilings:

For the arrival of a child from April 1, 2018

For the arrival of a child before April 1, 2018

Paje: the shared child education benefit (PreParE)

Young parents, you can receive a free choice of activity supplement if you have stopped or reduced your professional activity to raise a baby. Have you taken parental leave? One thing is certain, mom, just like dad, is entitled to it! This aid can be paid from your first child and for each new baby. The duration of the payment varies according to the number of children you have. Indeed, if you have only one dependent child, the PreParE will be paid to you during the baby's first 6 months. On the other hand, if you have two or more children, you will benefit from it until the 3 years of your last child. You were entitled only if you have at least one child under the age of 3, if you have totally or partially interrupted your professional activity and finally if you have validated at least 8 quarters of old-age contributions.

For a total cessation of professional activity, the amount of the free choice of activity supplement is €396.01. For half-time, the supplement will be €256.01. When working time varies between 50 and 80%, this bonus amounts to €147.68 per month.

With 3 dependent children, you can consider an increased benefit, if you have ceased your activity. This is the PreparE Plus. This benefit is higher but shorter in duration. It is €647.31 per month for a period of up to one year.

Paje: the supplement of free choice of childcare

Is it the end of your maternity or parental leave? We will have to find a nanny for the baby... but at what cost? Do not worry ! The free choice of childcare supplement is awarded to parents having their children under 6 looked after by an approved childminder, by a home childcare provider, an association, a company or a crèche.

This service covers part or all of the remuneration of your employee or the costs of the structure welcoming your child. His gross remuneration must not exceed 49.40 euros per day and per child cared for. The free choice supplement can cover up to 85% of the remuneration. The amount of support varies according to your income, the number of children you have and their age. Whatever your choice of childcare method, 15% of the expenses, minimum, will remain your responsibility. Your payment may be increased by 10% if your child is looked after at night, on Sundays or on public holidays.

To find out the amounts of your aid according to your situation, go to service-public.fr

The social contributions due by the employer, so you dear parents, can be reduced thanks to the help of the CAF. Indeed, they can be covered at 100% for an approved childminder and 50% for home care.

Paje: Adopted children

For you, parents who have adopted a child (under the age of 20), help also exists! Rightly so, you can benefit from the Paje as young parents!

The birth bonus is then transformed into an adoption bonus in the amount of €1,846.18 per adopted child. It is also paid according to household income. The basic allowance, which remains at €184.62 per month, is paid for 36 consecutive months within the limit of the child's 20th birthday and those depending on your income. As for the free choice of activity (or PreparE) and free choice of childcare supplements, the rules remain the same, but only for children under 6 years old.

What do allowances offer you?

Family allowances: Family allowances are automatically paid from the second child. They are calculated according to your level of resources.

Even better ! When your children grow up, the amount of your family allowances is increased. Indeed, as soon as one of your children reaches the age of 14, your family allowances increase by €65.58 in addition to the basic amount.

Automatic at birth, family allowances end when you no longer have dependent children.

The family supplement: The family supplement concerns families made up of at least 3 children between the ages of 3 and 21. Its amount varies according to the income of the parent or couple and the number of dependent children.

This benefit amounts to €170.71 to €256.09 per month depending on your annual income. For more information, visit servicepublic.fr

Back-to-school allowance: The ARS is designed to help you financially with the sometimes high cost of back-to-school if you have children between the ages of 6 and 18. Paid at the end of August, the amount varies according to the age of the children: 6-10 years old: €367.76 / 11-14 years old: €388.02 / 15-18 years old: €401.46. It is therefore from the first year of primary school of your little pupil that you are entitled to ARS, for each child, if your income for the previous year does not exceed the following ceilings:

Large family card

Designed to obtain SNCF fare reductions (up to -75% on the ticket price), the large family card is extended to major brands such as Auchan, Intermarché, Flunch, Parc Astérix, etc. Where you can do your everyday shopping.

Zoom on some advantages on presentation of the large family card (look out for the large family logo!):

Do you want to buy clothes or bath products for your toddlers? C&A offers you a 5% discount and the same goes for Yves Rocher.

Family leisure activities are often very expensive, which is why leisure parks or museums have preferential rates, such as the Quai Branly Museum or the Château de Versailles and even the Puy du Fou with reductions on the purchase of your tickets.

Some restaurant or hotel chains participate in this aid, such as Buffalo Grill, which offers a children's menu for the purchase of an adult menu. So if you have at least 3 children under 18, don't hesitate to ask for this card directly on the SNCF website. This card is valid for 3 years and renewable, of course. It is also available for blended families, under certain conditions.

So, young parents, know that you are not alone! You are now equipped to face the expenses that little bits of cabbage can generate.