Personalized housing assistance (APL) in France

What are the conditions for receiving APL (housing assistance)?

You’re wondering if you can benefit from Personalized Housing Assistance (APL) to reduce your rent or occupancy fee, especially if you reside in a specialized accommodation (e.g., long-term care facility, student residence).

Here are the conditions to meet and the procedure to follow based on your situation.

To quickly check your eligibility, you can use the Caf simulator.

Eligible individuals

You can benefit from APL if you are:

• A tenant.
• A declared sub-tenant with the host's consent, if you are under 30 years old or if you are hosted by a family caregiver.

There is no minimum age requirement. A minor can therefore receive APL, provided that the lease is signed by their parents.

The rent receipt can be issued in their name. If you are an emancipated minor, the lease must be in your name.

Foreign nationals must have a valid residence permit.
Nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland do not need a residence permit.

Conditions related to housing

APL only concerns your primary residence, occupied at least 8 months per year, except in specific cases (professional reasons, health, or force majeure).

The accommodation must comply with decency criteria and minimum occupancy conditions.

It must also be approved by the state, meaning it is subject to an agreement between the state and the host or managing organization.

This is often the case for HLM housing. Your host can confirm if the accommodation is approved.

Conditions related to income

APL is granted based on income conditions, depending on the composition of your household and the location of the accommodation.

The income taken into account corresponds to the last 12 months and is automatically re-evaluated every 3 months.

You therefore have no action to take: Caf or MSA directly retrieves the information from tax authorities or France Travail.

What is the process for receiving APL?

The process depends on your social security scheme:

• Caisse d’allocations familiales (Caf) for the general scheme.
• Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA) for the agricultural scheme.

The application is made entirely online.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Double-sided copy of your identification document (CNI, passport, or birth certificate extract) or valid residence permit.
• Bank account details (RIB, RIP, or RICE) in your name.
• Rent certificate completed, dated, and signed by your host.

How is APL calculated?

The amount of your APL depends on several criteria:

• The number of dependants in your household.
• Your income, that of your spouse, or of individuals regularly living with you.
• The value of your assets (real estate and financial) if it exceeds €30,000.
• The amount of your rent.

To get a reliable estimate, use the Caf simulator.

How is APL paid out?

As a general rule, APL is paid directly to the host, who deducts it from the amount of rent due.

It is due from the 1st day of the month following the opening of your rights.

👉 Example: If you apply in February, the first payment will occur in early March.

Payments are made on the 5th of each month.

What to do if your situation changes?

Any change in situation (moving, banking details, family situation, etc.) must be declared to Caf or MSA.

This declaration can be made online or directly with your organization.