Apply on your very first day in the accommodation
APL does not apply retroactively for the first 2 months after moving in — this waiting period exists in every case. But if you delay your application, you lose additional monthly payments on top of that. Apply on the day you move in or in the first few days. Every week of delay means a lost APL payment.
APL, ALF or ALS: which benefit for you?
Housing assistance depends on your accommodation type and family situation. APL is reserved for subsidised housing — HLM social housing, CROUS student residences, and some private accommodation that has signed an agreement with the state. If your accommodation isn't subsidised, you may be entitled to ALS or ALF depending on your situation. Ask your landlord whether the accommodation is conventionné.
Since 2021: your personal resources matter, not your parents'
Before 2021, APL was calculated based on parental income for students attached to the family tax household. That's no longer the case. Since the reform, only your personal income is taken into account. For most students with little or no income, this translates to higher APL payments. Run a simulation on caf.fr with your actual income.
Documents to prepare
For your first application, gather: your enrolment certificate for the current year, your tenancy agreement or CROUS residence contract, proof of address at the new accommodation, your bank details (RIB), your ID or residence permit, and your latest personal tax notice. The application is made online at caf.fr.
After applying: what to expect
Once your complete file is submitted, CAF processes your application within 2 to 4 weeks. The first payment arrives 2 months after you moved in (the waiting period). After that, APL is paid monthly on the 5th. Your APL is recalculated every September based on your previous year's income.