Until now, only one parent was entitled to it in the case of shared custody. But from December, both separated parents will be able to receive this allowance individually, under certain conditions.
Agree on educational choices, on timetable or simply organize for joint custody… A separation always becomes more complex when children are involved. And for many parents, there is also a clear drop in income: according to INSEE, men lose on average 6% of their standard of living in the first year following a divorce, the breakdown of a civil partnership or common-law union, compared to more than 19% for women. But good news, the CAF has decided to develop specific assistance to better adapt to the situation of separated parents.
Until now, the Child Care Supplement (CMG) was only paid to one of the two parents in the event of separation. But according to the new reform, which will apply from December 1, 2025, both parents will be able to benefit from it individually. Some conditions must be respected: firstly, payment is only possible in the event of direct employment of approved childminder or home care. The CAF thus specifies that “if you go through a structure for the care of your child or if he is welcomed in a micro-crèche, the CMG remains calculated according to the old scale”. That is to say, only the parent receiving Caf will be able to benefit from it.
On the other hand, it is necessary that the child be in effective alternate residence: a right of visitation or accommodation is not enough. This means that a declaration of alternating residence must be sent to the CAF. For their part, the parent who has not received this aid until now will have to make a request for the right to CMG from the organization, and provide a declaration of family situation if necessary. “If family allowances are not shared, this declaration is essential to open the right to CMG for the second parent” specifies Caf.
And good news: the amount of aid will not be reduced for the parent already receiving benefits if the ex-spouse also requests it. The CMG will be calculated according to the needs of each person, according to the contract established with the childminder or home care. Because yes, each parent will have to make a separate employment contract for the periods when the child is at home.
Another important detail, the situation of parents who have chosen joint custody should not be confused with that of a single-parent family. “It is not necessary to be in a situation of isolation to benefit from the right to CMG for a child in alternate residence“, recalls the CAF. The reform of the Childcare Supplement also applies to single parents, who can benefit from it until their child turns 12 since September 1, 2025.
