The birth of a child must be declared to the CAF as quickly as possible to receive family allowances, the birth bonus and other benefits you are entitled to. In 2026, online declaration is preferred but an official letter is sometimes still needed.
Benefits you are entitled to after a birth
At the birth of a child, several benefits may be triggered: the birth bonus (around €1,046 in 2026), family allowances (from the 2nd child), the childcare complement (CMG), and the young child reception benefit (PAJE). For non-EU foreigners, the 5-year residency condition applies to minimum social benefits but not to family allowances if you hold a work-authorising permit.
How to declare the birth online
On caf.fr, go to 'Declare an event' → 'Birth or adoption'. You will need the child's birth certificate, your allocataire number, and information about your chosen childcare. The online declaration automatically triggers a rights assessment.
When to send an official letter to the CAF
An official letter is needed if: you cannot access caf.fr, your file is blocked, you are contesting a decision, or you want to formalise a revision request. FrenchDesk generates your letter in 30 seconds with the structure expected by the CAF and exact legal references.
Legal deadlines and appeals
The CAF has 2 months to process your application. If it does not respond, you can appeal to the Commission de Recours Amiable (CRA). In case of benefit refusal, you have 2 months to contest before the CRA.