Present in all départements, Caf, or the Caisse d'allocations familiales (family allowance fund), is mainly responsible for family subsidy regulations. There are specific reasons for receiving assistance from Caf. However, some of these payments may have to be repaid. We'll explain why and for how long Caf demands repayment, and how you can avoid this.
For how long can the Caf ask you for a refund?
Like the MSA (Mutualité sociale agricole), the Caf can, over a period of 2 years, request a refund in the event of unduly allocated allowances.
This period may, however, be extended up to 5 years in the event of detection of fraud or misrepresentation on the part of the insured. Once this period has elapsed, the company cannot claim reimbursement.
How does the Caf proceed with the refund request?
Caf can claim back any overpayments you may have received. An overpayment is due to change of situation or status the most common of which are as follows:
- A change in the way you receive benefits under the law.
- A period of a few weeks elapsed between your change of situation and the date on which you informed the CAF.
- A late registration or an error on the part of the Caf concerning the information you have transmitted.
- A verification carried out by the Caf revealed a discrepancy between your real status and the one you declared, which led to a new count of your allowances.
How can regularization be done?
You can easily reimburse the sums claimed by the Caf and just as well avoid overpayments.
What are the terms of reimbursement?
Caf offers two alternatives for the settlement of improperly received family benefits :
- All at once
- In several installments (a tranche will be withheld on an ad hoc basis for future installments).
How not to have a debt to the Caf?
Caf grants you an allowance based on the information you provide. So it's a good idea to make sure you inform them of every change in your situation, to avoid undue benefit that you'll have to pay back later. If, despite all your attempts to save your relationship, you still decide to separate, find out how to prove separation to Caf.
Likewise, it's important to make sure you're always giving true and accurate informationwith as much precision as possible. What's more, if it turns out that fraud has been committed, Caf reserves the right, in addition to demanding restitution, to require you to pay a fine. fine up to 13 712 € or have recourse to legal procedures according to the law in force.
However, if the disproportion between the information you have declared and your actual conditions results from an oversight or an error, this will be reduced to a simple request for reimbursement of the amount overpaid and takes your situation into account to establish the repayment plan.
Caf's mission goes beyond the payment of family allowances: it assists families in their social and economic development. highlights of their lives. Has there been a recent change in your personal, family or professional life? Don't forget to log in to your space on the Caf website or mobile application to register this change. To verify the accuracy of the information declared, this organization may ask you for supporting documents.
