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The family vacation assistance (AVF) paid by Caf aims to help low-income families go on vacation. Subject to resource conditions and the family quotient, its allocation is automatic. Here are all the conditions and terms for receiving family vacation assistance.
Capital Video: Help with family vacations
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– Go on family vacation with Caf assistance
What is AVF, help for families to go on vacation?
Help from Caf
Family vacation assistance (AVF) was created in 1999 to help families in difficulty go on vacation.
Paid by the Caf (Family Allowance Fund), this aid offers families the opportunity to carry out their holiday plans by going to campsites or lodges approved by the Caf or a leisure center.
Labeled stays
AVF beneficiaries are financially supported to pay for family holidays in France in VACAF-certified centers such as campsites, lodges, family holiday centers.
Holiday voucher: request, use and amount
Can the AVF be combined with other vacation allowances?
Assistance for family vacations can be combined with ATL (free time assistance) or leisure vouchers for children awarded by the Caf or the MSA.
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Parents on low incomes can also let their children benefit from the Learning Holidays scheme.
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Who is entitled to Caf holiday aid?
Conditions vary depending on the region
The criteria for awarding family vacation assistance regarding the age of the dependent child(ren) and the family’s resources are distinct depending on each department.
You should therefore contact your Caf to find out the eligibility conditions.
Income conditions
To benefit from the AVF, you must:
- to receive a family benefit from Caf;
- to have at least one dependent child born between January 1, 2007 and October 31, 2023;
- to have resources below a certain ceiling calculated according to the family quotient of the family (850 euros on average as of January 1, 2024).
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Aeeh beneficiaries can receive AVF if their family quotient is equal to or less than 850 euros.
Other conditions to benefit from the AVF
In addition to the means conditions, people wishing to benefit from the AVF must also respect the following criteria:
- The stay must not exceed the maximum number of days (seven nights minimum and 14 nights maximum) set by their Caf.
- The stay must take place during school holidays (for children aged 3 to 16).
- The destination must be chosen in a VACAF-certified holiday center.
- The presence of an adult and a child is mandatory during the stay.
- The aid is only valid once a year.
Learning holidays: here’s how to register
How to obtain the AVF holiday bonus from Caf?
Assistance for family vacations is automatic: no special procedure is necessary to benefit from it.
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Caf notifies beneficiaries in February by sending a postal letter or a notification to their personal space.
This notification specifies the duration of the stay and the amount of the premium paid.
How to create a CAF account?
How do you know if you are entitled to Caf holiday aid (VACAF)?
Here again, Caf beneficiaries receive information by email or post at the start of the year mentioning their rights to family holiday assistance.
They must then choose from the 3,600 destinations approved by VACAF throughout France. It can be a stay by the sea, in the mountains, in the countryside, with full board, half board, etc.
The Caf pays its contribution directly to the holiday center.
Public holidays 2024: dates, leave and remuneration
How much is the Caf 2024 holiday aid?
A variable amount depending on the Caf
The amount of the AVF varies depending on the family’s income, the number of dependent children, and the vacation package chosen. These criteria also differ within each Caf.
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On average, the latter covers 50 to 75% of the cost of the stay. The maximum amount of financial aid is 1,100 euros (for families with three or more children).
Example: amount of AVF 2024 for Paris
For example, for Paris, the amount of family vacation assistance for the year 2024 is as follows:
- From 0 to 350 euros family quotient: 60% of the cost of the stay, i.e. 480 euros maximum within the limit of 800 euros.
- From 351 to 450 euros family quotient: 50% of the cost of the stay, i.e. 400 euros maximum within the limit of 800 euros.
- From 451 to 700 euros family quotient: 40% of the cost of the stay, i.e. 320 euros maximum within the limit of 800 euros.
The rest of the cost of the stay is the responsibility of the AVF beneficiary.
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How to use Caf holiday aid?
Book your vacation on the Vacaf.fr website
Upon receipt of the notification, it is advisable to book your vacation quickly, as places are limited.
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To book your stay, you must:
- connect to the website www.vacaf.org;
- to select the desired vacation spot from among the 3,600 destinations offered.
Contact the holiday center
Provided with their beneficiary number, the applicant must then contact the holiday center stating that they are a beneficiary of the AVF.
A registration form must then be completed to make the final reservation of the stay on the leisure or vacation center website.
Pay the remaining amount
The aid is deducted from the amount to be paid to the holiday center. All that remains is to pay the rest of the bill one month before the vacation, then prepare for your departure!
School holidays 2023-2024 and 2024-2025: official calendar
What are the other VACAF measures to help low-income families go on vacation?
AVE, help for children’s holidays
Children’s vacation assistance (AVE) is a benefit paid by Caf to help families finance their children’s vacations when family resources are limited.
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The AVE can be used for different types of stays:
- Camp.
- Leisure centers with accommodation.
- Language travel.
Transportation assistance
In the case of VACAF holidays located more than 200 km away and taking place between July 6 and September 1, 2024, transport assistance is automatically paid:
- It amounts to 100 euros if the holiday center is between 200 and 400 km away.
- It amounts to 200 euros beyond 400 km.
It is automatically paid into the beneficiaries’ bank account.
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