Back-to-school allowance

Back to school: the back-to-school allowance

Back-to-school allowance (ARS) is paid for each child in school, under conditions of age and resources. It concerns children from 6 to 18 years old. For the start of the 2019 school year, these will therefore be children born between September 16, 2001 and December 31, 2013 inclusive. CAF makes its payment to families at the end of August, generally from August 19.

ARS amounts for the 2020 academic year:

Up from 100 euros compared to last year, the amounts of the ARS for the back to school 2020 will thus be:

• € 469,95 for children aged 6 to 10 and younger children enrolled in CP;
• € 490,35 for 11-14 year olds;
• € 503,88 for 15-18 year olds.

These amounts are identical in mainland France and in the overseas departments.

Note that for young people aged 16 to 18, parents must provide proof of their schooling to the CAF to be able to collect the ARS.

If you are a CAF beneficiary, there is nothing to do for children aged 6 to 16. You simply have to have declared your 2018 income to taxes, to the family allowance fund or the agricultural social mutual fund (MSA).

What are the resource conditions to collect the ARS?

Back-to-school allowance is paid on a means-tested basis.

To receive the ARS for the start of the 2019 school year, the categorical net income for the year 2018 of the household must not exceed:

Here are the 2018 resource ceilings, depending on your family situation on July 31, 2020

Number of dependent child (ren) / Ceilings:

• 1/25 093 euros
• 2/30 884 euros
• 3/36 675 euros

This ceiling is increased by 5 euros per additional dependent child.

How to collect the ARS?

Families who receive at least one family and social benefit do not need to take any administrative steps.

Non-benefit families must submit a “declaration of the situation of family and housing benefits” and a “declaration of resources 2018” to their CAF or MSA.