6.80 euros per day. That’s what a single person with temporary protection in France gets for food, clothing, and everyday expenses. It’s called ADA - the first payment you’ll see after getting your APS. But many Ukrainians don’t even realize that beyond ADA, there’s APL (housing rent assistance), allocations familiales (child benefits), and other payments through CAF. And to get them, you need specific documents - some with sworn translation. Let’s break it all down.
What’s CAF and why it matters¶
CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales - Family Allowance Fund) is the organization that pays out social benefits in France. Housing assistance, child payments, subsidies for low-income households - it all goes through CAF.
For Ukrainians with temporary protection (APS marked “bénéficiaire de la protection temporaire”), CAF is the main source of financial support after ADA. And while ADA is set up automatically through the prefecture, for CAF you need to apply yourself.
CAF contact: phone 3230 (free), website caf.fr. But there’s a catch for Ukrainians - it’s better to submit applications on paper forms rather than online. More on that below.
ADA - first assistance after getting APS¶
ADA (Allocation pour Demandeur d’Asile - Asylum Seeker Allowance) is the payment all temporary protection beneficiaries receive. It’s paid by OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration), not CAF, but you need to know about it because it affects other benefits.
How much do you get in 2026¶
| Family size | Per day | Per month (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €6.80 | €204 |
| 2 people | €10.20 | €306 |
| 3 people | €13.60 | €408 |
| Each additional person | +€3.40 | +€102 |
If you haven’t been provided housing (hébergement), an extra €7.40 per day is added for each adult. So a single person without housing gets roughly €426 per month.
ADA is paid on an ADA card issued by OFII or the prefecture. You can withdraw cash, but with limits.
One Ukrainian shared on a forum: “ADA came through 3 weeks after getting APS. The amount is small, but it’s something. The main thing is don’t forget to renew your APS on time, because payments stop the day your document expires.”
APL - housing rent assistance¶
APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement - Personalized Housing Aid) is what really helps with rent. CAF partially or fully covers your apartment rental costs.
Who’s eligible¶
You can get APL if you: - Have a valid APS (temporary protection) - Rent housing with an official lease (bail) in your name - The housing is conventionné (has an agreement with the state) - this includes most social housing and some private rentals - Your income doesn’t exceed the set limits
Key point: you must be the titulaire du bail (lease holder). If you’re living with someone without an official bail in your name, you won’t get APL. An attestation d’hébergement (certificate of staying with someone) doesn’t work for APL.
How much can you get in 2026¶
The exact amount depends on the zone (Paris, large cities, other regions), family size, and your income. Roughly:
| Situation | Approximate monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Single person, Paris (zone 1) | €200-280 |
| Single person, other regions (zone 3) | €150-200 |
| Couple with 2 children, Paris | €350-450 |
| Couple with 2 children, regions | €250-350 |
The average APL in France is about €225 per month. For an exact calculation, use the simulator on caf.fr.
How to apply¶
For Ukrainians, CAF recommends submitting paper forms (formulaire cerfa) rather than using the online portal. The reason is simple - the online system doesn’t always correctly process documents from temporary protection beneficiaries.
Where to get the forms: - At your local CAF office - At France Services (administrative service points throughout the country) - Through the association helping you
You can submit completed forms in person at CAF, by mail, or through France Services.
Allocations familiales - child benefits¶
If you have two or more children under 20, you’re entitled to allocations familiales (family allowances). For Ukrainians with temporary protection, these benefits have been available since 2022 through a special government decision.
Amounts in 2026¶
| Number of children | Monthly amount (base) |
|---|---|
| 2 children | €151.05 |
| 3 children | €344.50 |
| Each additional child | +€193.45 |
These amounts are for families with income up to €79,980 per year. If income is higher (unlikely for most Ukrainians with temporary protection), the amounts are reduced.
Other child-related payments¶
Beyond basic allocations familiales, Ukrainians can receive:
- Allocation de soutien familial (ASF) - for single parents (the other parent is absent or doesn’t pay child support). About €195 per month per child
- Complément familial - additional payment for families with 3+ children aged 3 to 21. About €190 per month
- PAJE (Prestation d’Accueil du Jeune Enfant) - payment when a child is born in France, includes a prime à la naissance (one-time birth grant) of about €1,066
One Ukrainian woman shared on a forum: “Applied for allocations familiales in April, money didn’t come until July. Three months of waiting - but they calculated it retroactively, meaning for the entire period from the application date. The main thing is to have all documents ready at once, because every mistake means another month of delay.”
What documents does CAF need and what requires translation¶
Here’s the full list of documents for CAF applications and translation requirements:
For APL (housing aid)¶
| Document | Translation? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| APS (temporary protection permit) | No | Copy, document is already in French |
| Passport | No | Copy of first page |
| Bail (lease agreement) | No | Must be in your name |
| RIB (bank details) | No | French bank account |
| Déclaration de ressources (income declaration) | No | Fill in on CAF form |
| Proof of address | No | Utility bill or quittance de loyer |
For allocations familiales (child benefits)¶
| Document | Translation? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| APS (both parents, if applicable) | No | Copy |
| Children’s passports | No | Copies |
| Children’s birth certificates | Yes | Sworn translation into French |
| Marriage certificate (if applicable) | Yes | Sworn translation into French |
| Livret de famille (if issued in France) | No | Replaces certificates if available |
| RIB | No | French account |
| Déclaration de ressources | No | CAF form |
For ASF (single parent benefit)¶
| Document | Translation? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Everything from allocations familiales | - | Plus additionally: |
| Proof of single parent status | Yes | Court decision or certificate - sworn translation |
| Certificate of no child support | Yes | If available, sworn translation |
Sworn translation for CAF - how it works¶
In France, official documents require translation by a traducteur assermenté - a sworn translator registered with a Court of Appeal (Cour d’Appel).
What must be translated by a sworn translator¶
- Birth certificates (for children - mandatory)
- Marriage or divorce certificates
- Court decisions (custody, child support)
- Any other documents from Ukraine that CAF requests additionally
How much does it cost¶
A sworn translation of one document (birth certificate, marriage certificate) in France costs on average €30-60 per page. If you have multiple documents, the total can add up. For example, a family with two children: 2 birth certificates + 1 marriage certificate = 3 documents × €30-60 = €90-180.
An alternative is to order your translation online through ChatsControl. The document gets translated and then certified by a sworn translator. It’s usually cheaper and faster than going directly to a translation agency.
Where to find a sworn translator¶
The official register of sworn translators in France: annuaire.traducteurs-experts.fr. Select your language pair (Ukrainian → French), your region - and you get a list of translators with contact details.
What Ukrainians with temporary protection DON’T get¶
Not all benefits are available to temporary protection beneficiaries. Here’s what you can NOT get:
- RSA (Revenu de Solidarité Active) - minimum income for the unemployed. RSA requires a titre de séjour for 5+ years or refugee status. Temporary protection doesn’t qualify
- AAH (Allocation aux Adultes Handicapés) - disability allowance. Technically possible, but in practice requires a long-term titre de séjour
- Prime d’activité - salary supplement for low-income workers. Requires a titre de séjour for at least 5 years
Instead of RSA, Ukrainians receive ADA. The amounts differ: RSA is €646.52 per month for a single person, ADA is about €204. That’s a significant gap, and it’s one of the reasons many Ukrainians switch from temporary protection to a regular titre de séjour at the first opportunity.
Step-by-step guide: how to set up CAF¶
Step 1: Get your APS¶
Without a valid APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) marked “protection temporaire,” no CAF benefits are possible. If you haven’t set up your APS yet - that’s step one.
Step 2: Open a bank account¶
You need a French bank account for payments. If you don’t have one yet, open a Livret A at any bank. La Banque Postale opens accounts for temporary protection beneficiaries without issues.
Step 3: Gather your documents¶
Prepare copies of your APS, passport, bail (if applying for APL). For allocations familiales, order a sworn translation of your children’s birth certificates in advance. Translation can take 2 to 7 days.
Step 4: Fill out the forms¶
Get paper CERFA forms from CAF or France Services. The main ones: - Formulaire de demande d’aide au logement - for APL - Déclaration de situation - general information form - Déclaration de ressources - income declaration
If your French isn’t strong enough, ask for help from an association (France Terre d’Asile, Secours Catholique, Croix-Rouge) or your référent social.
Step 5: Submit and wait¶
Submit the package to CAF in person or by mail. Processing time is 1 to 3 months. If everything checks out, payments are calculated retroactively from the date you submitted your application.
After your application is processed, you’ll receive a numéro d’allocataire (CAF beneficiary number). With it, you can create an online account on caf.fr and track your payments.
Common problems and how to fix them¶
CAF rejected your application for “incomplete file” The most common reason is a missing or incorrect birth certificate translation. Make sure the translation was done by a sworn translator (with stamp and signature). CAF won’t accept a regular translation.
Payments are delayed Standard processing is 1-3 months. If it’s been more than 3 months, call CAF (3230) and ask about the status. Often the issue is that CAF is waiting for confirmation from OFII or the prefecture.
Change of address If you move, you must notify CAF within a month. Otherwise, payments may stop. You can do this through your online account or by letter.
APS expired If your APS expired and you didn’t renew in time, CAF payments stop automatically. Renew your APS well in advance and immediately send a copy of the new APS to CAF.
FAQ¶
How long does it take to set up CAF for Ukrainians?¶
From submitting documents to the first payment, it’s usually 1-3 months. But payments are calculated retroactively from the application date, so you don’t lose money during the waiting period. The key is to apply as early as possible and have a complete set of documents from the start.
Can you receive ADA and APL at the same time?¶
Yes, ADA and APL are different benefits from different organizations (OFII and CAF respectively). They don’t exclude each other. However, if you receive APL, your ADA amount may be recalculated, since CAF will consider your housing costs reduced.
Which Ukrainian documents need translation for CAF?¶
For APL (housing aid), translation of Ukrainian documents usually isn’t needed - a copy of your APS and passport is enough. For allocations familiales (child benefits), sworn translation of children’s birth certificates is mandatory. For ASF (single parent benefit), you’ll need sworn translation of the custody court decision or certificate of no child support.
Should I apply to CAF online or in person?¶
For Ukrainians with temporary protection, CAF recommends submitting paper forms rather than using the online portal. The online system doesn’t always correctly handle documents from temporary protection beneficiaries. Paper forms are available at CAF offices, France Services points, or through associations.
Do I need an apostille on Ukrainian documents for CAF?¶
No, CAF doesn’t require an apostille on Ukrainian documents. The original document plus its sworn translation (traduction assermentée) into French is sufficient. An apostille may be needed for other procedures (like registering a marriage at the mairie), but not for CAF.
Need a professional translation?
AI translation + human review + notary certification
Order translation →