The payment of the 2014 Back-to-School Allowance

Which families can claim the LRA? The allocation of back-to-school is paid, subject to conditions of resources, to families with at least one dependent child, in school and aged 6 to 18. For the start of 2014, it applies to every child born between September 16, 1996 and December 31, 2008 included. The child must be enrolled in a public or private school, or with a distance education organization, such as the Cned. An apprentice minor is also entitled to it, if his remuneration does not exceed a ceiling of 885.81 euros.

What are the resource conditions to benefit from it? The family's resources must not exceed a certain ceiling that depends on the number of children. For the 2014 school year, the net income category (income decreased from expenses and allowances) for 2012 serves as a reference. In concrete terms, to benefit from the LRA this year, in 2012 you must have had resources of less than 24,137 euros for families with one child, 29,707 euros for those with two children, 35,277 euros for three children, the amount of the ceiling then increasing by 5570 euros per additional child. Note that the ceiling is the same, regardless of the situation of the beneficiary family: dual professional activity within the couple, a single activity or isolated person.

When is the LRA paid? This back-to-school financial boost is usually paid at the end of August (this year from 19) for school children aged 6 to 18 and as soon as they receive the proof of learning for 16 to 18 year olds.

What steps do you need to take to perceive it? For households already allocated, no action is necessary for children between the age of 6 and 16. You simply have to have declared your 2013 income to the taxes, to the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) or the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA). For school children aged 16 to 18, parents must report it to their Family Allowance Fund. In the case of apprentices and salaried students, a certificate must be sent to the FCA. Non-recipient households must make a "family and housing status statement" with the FCA or MSA, as well as a "2013 resource declaration" also with the FCA or MSA in order to benefit from the LSA.

A novelty this year 2014 This year, parents of teenagers aged 16 to 18 will no longer have to provide proof of schooling, as a certificate of honour ensuring that the child is in school is sufficient, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced in July. This change responds to a request from family associations. They had regretted in the past the need to wait until the school year had passed to obtain a certificate of schooling from the institution, resulting in a delay in the payment of aid that could weigh on the most modest families.

Our opinion on the matter,

It is true that this allowance is a breath of fresh air for households in this economic context 2014 where employment is slow to start again.