Each year in France, nearly 10 billion euros in social benefits are not claimed by potential beneficiaries, corresponding to approximately 30% of French people. “I’ve always had trouble knowing and knowing my rights,” comments Philippe. He thus considers, like almost 4 out of 10 French people, that the lack of information is the first cause of the non-use of social assistance in our country, according to the DREES barometer (Department of research, studies, evaluation and statistics), published on April 12.
The second most advanced reason, specifies the Drees, by nearly one in four people, is the complexity of the procedures. Jean-Jacques, for example, explains to us that even if he is comfortable with “computer tools”, he notes a great “complexity, an inconsistency in the ergonomics of certain official platforms or public service”. He stresses, a bit mockingly, that “we just have the impression that they were created to discourage, even despair, citizens from using them. »
digital jungle
The question of the digitization of social assistance is also central. Although Philippe is “lucky to be equipped and educated enough to [se] manage”, he indicates having met “people without all that. “He also says he is scandalized to learn that “10 billion euros are not distributed” each year and that families suffer as a result. This is mainly the case for the oldest among us who are less used to computer tools, notes Jean-Jacques judiciously.
These elements are clearly identified by the authorities and observers. Thus, the DREES specifies that “the Observatory of non-use of rights and services (Odenore) distinguishes five main forms of non-access to rights and services”. In addition to non-use of benefits due to lack of knowledge and “non-request” due to lack of interest in the benefit or fatigue with complex procedures, potential beneficiaries experience other difficulties. They may not complete a process, may not be offered services by agents or simply lack support in accessing social assistance.
Lack of support
This is highlighted by Sylvie when she tells us that she is “a social worker who [lui] said [qu’elle avait] right to the activity bonus”. At the time of her testimony, she told us that she was still waiting for the response for her award. The weariness is also seen in the testimony of Jacky who went up against the lack of response from CAF “despite several reminders”.
The same goes for Philippe, who observes that the lack of information on social benefits is “mainly due to the fact that the agents who receive us do not inform us of anything concerning any benefits from which we could benefit. »
At the end of March, the government announced a simplification in the payment of certain allowances and certain devices can allow you to know which social benefits you could be entitled to as on the site mysocialrights Or mesallocs.fr.