What is a dependent child for family benefits?
Verified 01 November 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
To be eligible for family benefits, a child must be the actual and permanent dependants of the beneficiary (parent, guardian, etc.). If he works, his remuneration must not exceed 55% SMIC.
He's there doesn't have to be a parent-child relationship between the person raising the child and the child.
It may thus be a child taken in (brother, niece or nephew...).
In order for the child to be considered a dependent, the beneficiary must ensure that the child is the effective and permanent load. Thus, it must:
- Provide financial support for its maintenance (food, accommodation, clothing)
- And to assume emotional and educational responsibility towards him.
The child must live permanently in France. Stays abroad should not, in principle, exceed 3 months during a calendar year.
A dependent child is considered to be:
- From pregnancy for the birth premium or the active solidarity income (SSA)
- Up to his 3 years
- From 3 years to 15 years if he fills out thecompulsory education.
The child is considered dependent until his or her 20 years (21 years for the allocation of the family supplement and housing allowances) if his net monthly remuneration does not exceed a certain amount.
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The child is continuing his studies
If the child is in school or a student and works, the net earnings of the child shall not exceed 55% of the Smic: titleContent (for 169 hours) so that he continues to be considered as dependent.
Wages are assessed over a period of 6 months (from 1er October to March 31 and from March 1er April to September 30). The total is then divided by 6.
The minimum amount taken into account depends on the period concerned:
Period concerned | Smic taken into account | Maximum Remuneration |
|---|---|---|
Between October 2024 and March 2025 | Smic in force on 1er october 2024 | €1082.87 |
April 2023 to September 2024 | Smic in force on 1er april 2023 | €1047.55 |
Between October 2022 and March 2023 | Smic in force on 1er october 2022 | €1028.9 |
Warning
As the amount of the SMIC was changed in 2023, the maximum remuneration per dependent child varies in 2024.
Example :
For the youth who perceived €1,219 net in july and august, the monthly average for the period of 1er april to september 30 is €2,438 divided by 6, or €403.33. As this amount is below the ceiling, family benefits are therefore maintained in full for the entire period.
If the average exceeds the ceiling, the young person no longer counts for the calculation of benefits only for the months when the monthly ceiling has been exceeded.
FYI
If the young person works during the holidays and does not resume his studies afterwards, the ceiling is assessed each month from the 1ster months of activity and not per 6-month period.
He is an apprentice, trainee or employee
If the child works, is a trainee or an apprentice, the child's net monthly earnings must not exceed €1,104.25 (55% minimum wage for 169 hours).
If his remuneration exceeds the ceiling for one or more months, entitlement to benefits shall be abolished for that month or months.
A child ceases to be dependent if he himself becomes a recipient of a family benefit.
This is the case for the young person who perceives personalized housing assistance (CHA).
However, a child who is self-sufficient in family benefits is not necessarily self-sufficient in taxes.
Example :
A 19-year-old student without personal resources rents a home and receives the PLA.
- For family allowances : he is no longer dependent on his parents, even though he does not earn a living and has not exceeded the age limit.
- For income tax : he can be declared dependent on his parents.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
If you are dependent on the general diet
Family Allowance Fund (Caf)If you are dependent on the farm plan
Mutual Social Agricultural Organization (MSA)
Allocation of family benefits
Rules for the allocation and award of benefits
Dependent child for family benefits (age and remuneration)
Service-Public.fr
National Fund for Family Allowances (Cnaf)