🇫🇷 France · Family benefits
A letter from the CAF? Here's what it's probably about.
The Caisse d'Allocations Familiales pays housing aid, family benefits, and the RSA to millions of people in France — and its letters are the single biggest source of "why did my payment stop" panic among expats.
Why the CAF is writing to you
The CAF recalculates your entitlement constantly based on your declared income and situation, which means it writes often — sometimes just to confirm a routine update, sometimes because something needs your action. The most common reason by far: it's waiting on information from you.
The letters you'll most likely receive
1. A quarterly declaration reminder (déclaration trimestrielle)
If you receive the RSA or certain other benefits, you must declare your income every three months, even if it's zero. Miss the deadline and your payment is automatically suspended the following month — this is the single most common cause of "my CAF payment just stopped."
2. A suspension notice
States that a payment (often APL housing aid or RSA) has been paused, almost always because a declaration wasn't submitted or a document is missing. It's reversible — submitting what's missing typically restarts payment, sometimes with the missed months paid retroactively.
3. An overpayment letter (indu)
Tells you that you were paid more than you were entitled to, usually after a recalculation based on updated income data, and asks you to repay the difference — sometimes via automatic deduction from future payments. It will state the amount and repayment method.
4. A document request
Asks for proof — a rental contract, payslips, a tax notice (avis d'imposition) — needed to finalise your file. Usually gives a specific number of days to respond via your CAF online account (Mon Compte).
Scary words, decoded
Déclaration trimestrielleThe quarterly income declaration required for RSA and some other benefits — must be filed even at zero income.
InduAn overpayment the CAF says it made and wants back — not a fine, just a recalculation.
QuittancementConfirmation that a payment has been processed and validated.
APLAide personnalisée au logement — housing assistance, one of the most common payments affected by suspensions.
Mon CompteYour online CAF account — where most declarations and document uploads actually happen, referenced in nearly every letter.
What to actually do
- Log into Mon Compte on caf.fr — this is faster than anything by post and shows your real-time status.
- If it's a declaration reminder: file it immediately, even if your income was zero — that's still a valid declaration.
- If it's a suspension: check exactly what's missing in your account, submit it, and payment usually resumes within the next cycle.
- If it's an indu: check the recalculation makes sense; if it doesn't, you can contest it through Mon Compte rather than simply paying without checking.
Not sure which of these your letter is? Upload a photo and TranslateMyLetter reads the exact French wording, explains it plainly, flags your real deadline, and drafts a formal French reply — with a note on French correspondence etiquette where it matters. Free for your first letter.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my CAF payment suddenly stop?
By far the most common reason is a missed quarterly declaration or an outstanding document request — check Mon Compte first, since it usually explains exactly what's needed.
Do I have to repay an indu immediately?
Not usually in one lump sum — the CAF typically deducts it gradually from future payments, though you can also contest the recalculation if you believe it's wrong.
What happens if I miss a déclaration trimestrielle deadline?
Payment is generally suspended the following month until you submit it — filing it, even late, typically restarts payment without further penalty.
Related guides
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