The Back-to-School Allowance (ARS) for 2025 provides financial support to families with children aged 6 to 18, based on specific income limits. Eligibility requires that family income is below €21,880 for one child, increasing with additional dependents. Approximately three million families benefit from this aid. Applications are streamlined for most families, with payments typically issued in August. Address changes must be reported to ensure continued support.
Understanding the Back-to-School Allowance: Key Details for 2025
Eligibility for the Back-to-School Allowance (ARS)
The Back-to-School Allowance is a financial aid designed to support families, and it is granted based on specific income criteria by the Caf or the Agricultural Social Mutuality (MSA). This assistance is targeted at families with children aged between 6 and 18 years who are either enrolled in school, participating in apprenticeships, or receiving care in specialized institutions. In 2025, children born from September 16, 2007, to December 31, 2019, will qualify, alongside younger children beginning their education in CP.
To be eligible for this allowance, a family’s income must fall below a designated threshold, which varies depending on the number of dependent children. The income considered is from the year two years prior (N-2).
Who Benefits from This Financial Aid?
Income Criteria for 2025
For the year 2025, the income limit for 2023 is established at €21,880. This threshold is raised by €6,564 for each additional dependent child, an increase from €6,263 in the previous year. Below are the income ceilings based on the number of dependent children:
- €28,444 for one child,
- €35,008 for two children,
- €41,572 for three children,
- €48,136 for four children…
If a family’s income slightly exceeds these limits, they may still qualify for a differential allowance that is calculated based on their exact income.
Updates on the ARS Amounts for 2025
The amounts allocated through the Back-to-School Allowance are determined by the child’s age and are adjusted annually on April 1, similar to other social benefits.
It’s also important to note that increases in certain benefits like AAH and RSA may be lower in April 2025.
Steps to Apply for the Allowance
If your children are between the ages of 6 and 15 as of December 31 of the academic year, you don’t need to take any action. Just ensure your Caf or MSA account is up-to-date.
For children aged 16 to 18, however, you must confirm online that they are still in school, studying, or in an apprenticeship. This can be done via the “My Account” section or the “Caf – My Account” mobile app. The Caf will reach out to families via email or mail during July.
For children under 6 years old who are enrolled in CP, it’s necessary to obtain a school certificate from their institution and submit it to your Caf or upload it in your My Account space.
Payment Timeline for the Allowance
The Back-to-School Allowance is typically disbursed in August. In 2024, payments were made on August 20 for regions such as mainland France, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Guyana, while Mayotte and Réunion received their payments on August 6.
Address Changes and Their Impact on Your Allowance
If you receive your allowance through Caf and move to a new address, you must report this change online. For MSA recipients, if you relocate to a different department, the MSA at your previous address will facilitate the transfer of your file to your new fund automatically, once your new address is registered, as detailed by Service-Public.fr.