Rent allowance

• Rent allowance

What is it?    In France, foreign students may be eligible for a rent allowance. There are two allowances, both managed by the CAF (family allowances office).    The most common is the individual rent subsidy (APL). It is available for so-called rent-controlled accommodation, which means that the owners have signed an agreement with the State whereby they agree to rent their property for a given period. APL is based on your income, but your family situation and the rent are also taken into account. The allowance can either be paid directly to the owner and deducted from the rent or paid to you.     The second one is the social rent subsidy (ALS). Those who are not eligible for the APL may qualify for an ALS. Of course, there are some conditions: the flat must meet some criteria in terms of amenities and size: a minimum of 9 m² for one person and 16 m² for two. The allocated amount varies depending on your income, place of residence and age. Remember that you cannot receive both subsidies! How to get an allowance?

   To find out if you are eligible for a rent allowance, there is only one way: fill in an application form, online if you are a student (www.caf.fr > Aide au logement étudiant) or at the nearest CAF office otherwise. The CAF will then decide whether you are eligible or not.    If you are, you will be asked to fill in two or three documents, including an income form, to provide written proofs of your situation. Then send your file back as soon as possible.    Comply with these requirements as scrupulously and fast as possible, and you may start receiving your allowance within a month or two. If you fail in sending back a good file, the procedure can take very long.    To get more information about the conditions required and to get an estimate of how much you could receive, consult the CAF website: www.caf.fr  (in French only)

• The Loca-Pass for those under 30

What is it?    Loca-Pass is a system which can help you if you don't have enough guarantees to rent a flat or not enough money to pay the deposit fee.   It is an allowance provided by the housing inter-professional committees (CIL), which collect the sums paid by companies as part of the 1% housing programme. The allowance is given in two parts: an advance and a deposit. The CIL can advance the sum required by the owner for free. It can also stand as guarantor for a period of three years and commit itself to paying any unpaid rent and service charges for a maximum period of 18 months. Who can be eligible for a Loca-Pass?    Any young person under 30 who is employed or looking for a job, in a fixed term contract, in vocational training or in a precarious social situation. Any employed person is also eligible, except for farm workers or civil servants. Students are also eligible, as long as they have a fixed term contract or are trainees for a period of more than three months.    Employees should contact the CIL which deals with their company. Others should contact the nearest CIL to their home.

   More information on: www.loca-pass.com

  Source: CIDJ