The CAF can offer financial assistance, also called a “helping hand” or “honorary loan” to help families in difficulty who need a sum of money quickly.
“The aim of the aid is to provide families with financial assistance to cope with an unforeseen event causing financial difficulties of an exceptional and momentary nature linked to a real urgent and vital need”, indicates the Caf du Var on its website.
In fact, this assistance makes it possible to overcome difficulties at home, a family emergency situation or to meet a specific need such as the purchase of a car, if it allows you to get to work.
This boost in the form of a grant or zero-interest loan is conditionally acquired. You must have a family quotient less than or equal to the amount indicated by the Caf at the time of the request. Also, this aid “is paid within the limit of an annual financial envelope voted by the Caf Board of Directors”.
The honorary loan comes from the Internal Social Action regulations and varies depending on your departmental CAF. “For example, urgent financial aid from Caf cannot exceed 1,500 euros in Haute-Saône (70). For applicants living in Var, the amount of this aid is capped at 2,000 euros. In Isère (38), this grant/loan is capped at 1,000 euros with the possibility of increasing it if it covers the entire debt,” indicates Econostrum.
Not all aid covers the same needs. For example, the Caf du Var covers childcare or reception costs in leisure centers (after-school and extra-curricular reception) outside colonies, registration in sports clubs and costs linked to rental charges (water bills, heating, home insurance).
To find out the costs covered and the amount of aid, it is essential to contact your CAF.