The ASF is aid intended for single-parent families, who are among the households most exposed to precariousness in France.
The ASF is financial assistance intended for parents who are responsible for the education of their child(ren). Often faced with economic difficulties, these single-parent families can thus more easily cover essential daily expenses.
What are the conditions for benefiting from the ASF?
Family support allowance (ASF) aims to support parents who raise their child alonein the event of separation or death for example, or if the other parent has not recognized the child. This aid can also be paid in the event of absence of alimony for at least a month, or when the amount of alimony is too weak: it must be less than 200.78 euros per month.
To benefit from ASF, you must live alone in France, with at least one dependent child under 20 years old. Unlike other family aid and allowances, the allocation of ASF does not depend on the resources of the remaining parent or the person who took in the child. Please note, the family support allowance does not take into account the maintenance duties of a parent who refuses to pay alimony: if the aid can be paid as an advance when the alimony is not paid by the other parent, the latter risks a recovery procedure by the organization which advances the costs.
How much is the family support allowance in 2026?
The amount of the family support allowance amounts to 200.78 euros per month per child for a single parent, or 267.63 euros for a person who has taken in a child. For those who receive alimony less than 200.78 euros, ASF is then paid in supplement form to reach this amount. For example, if you only receive 70 euros from your ex-spouse, Caf will then pay you 130.78 euros. However, if the difference is less than 15 euros, the differential ASF is not paid. Finally, this social benefit is paid the month following the separation of the parents.
How to apply for family support allowance?
For benefit from the family support allowance, you will need to fill out the ASF application form (cerfa n°12038*03) with your declaration of situation as well as the requested documents (copy of the judgment, family record book, etc.).
Can the ASF and the RSA be combined?
Yes, it is possible to combine family support allowance and active solidarity income. This social benefit can also be combined with the family supplement, maternity leave, the free choice of childcare supplement (CMG), the birth bonus and the PreParE.
How long does the family support allowance last?
- If no alimony has been set and you are not in possession of any court decision, the ASF can be paid for 4 months. To extend it, it is nevertheless necessary to take action before the family court judge, so that alimony can be fixed. The family support allowance will be maintained until its characterization. For parents who have not fixed child supportit will then be necessary to take action to review the court decision before the same judge, or family mediation addressing in particular the question of maintenance obligations.
- If alimony has been setthe ASF is paid as an advance. Your Caf or your MSA then acts on your behalf to recover this pension if the other parent does not fully pay the fixed child support. She can also set up a recovery procedure against the other parent to recover up to two years of unpaid child support.
- If the other parent is unable to fulfill their maintenance obligation (insolvency, unemployment, RSA, etc.), the Caf will check your situation and based on the information collected, and will tell you if you need to take steps to fix alimony.
Up to what age is ASF paid?
ASF can be paid until the child is 20 years old. It will cease to be paid from the month of its 20e birthday, even if he was born at the end of the month. However, it may end before then if you no longer assume emotional, educational and financial responsibility for the child, or if you return to life as a couple (unless you have taken in a child of whom you are not the father or mother).
Can the ASF be paid retroactively?
Some Caf services can be paid for a period of two years from the day you are entitled to it. This is particularly the case for family support allowance, as well as family allowances. So, if you have not taken the steps in time, don’t panic, you will still receive payment of the allowance.
