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Dordogne Local Reference INFOrmation

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French Social Security Organisations

A simple guide the various Social Security organisations in France - their responsibilities and what they do for you in sickness, unemployment, maternity and pregnancy, retirement and other times of financial need.

For comprehensive information on state healthcare in France see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page French Health Care & Social Security in France

Note: French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) rules differ in the Alsace-Moselle regions. This information below does not apply.

The contributions (cotisations) you and your employers pay from your salary/earnings are called:

CSG - Contribution Sociale Généralisée
CRDS - Contribution au Remboursement de la Dette Sociale
AF - Allocations Familiales

These contributions go to pay for the social security national organisation, which is composed of the following:

CPAM - Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie

This is the body that deals with anything medical - doctors and dentists, hospitalisation, pregnancy, accidents at work, death and so forth. When you have your social security number from this organisation you are entitled to full social security benefits. Your contributions are paid each month to CPAM, giving you social security cover.

To find the local CPAM office: Click here and enter postal code into the search box on the top right hand corner. Then select the tab "votre caisee" and "nous contacter" for the location and open hours of each area branch

CAF - Caisse d'Allocations Familiales

CAF is the local body that deals with all things related to the allowances and benefits to which we are all entitled, including family allowance, rent allowance, single parent allowance and so forth.

Carte Vitale

This green coloured card is given to you (sometimes you must ask for it) when you receive your social security number and replaces the old prescription (ordonnance), which is however still in use in some situations. You pay your medical practitioner who registers your payment with the card which sets the reimbursement process into action. Equally you can use the Carte Vitale in laboratories, pharmacies and other medical situations. Note: Not all medications are reimbursed - your medical practitioner can advise you.

You need to update your card regularly every six months, which you can do in the machines made especially for this purpose in mairies, hospitals, and the CPAM offices. You need to do this at least twice a year, and when you change address or when other family members are added. To update your card, place it in the machine and press mise à jour (update).

Caisse de Retraite

This is the organisation that looks after retirement pensions. Each pensioner is allocated a Caisse according to their profession. A self-employed person is given a choice. Payment into a pension fund is obligatory by all employees and self-employed people.

CNAV (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Vieillesse) manages retirement for residents of France.

For information, see the CNAV information portal: Click here
To find a local CNAV office: Click here

ASPA (Allocation de Solidarité aux Personnes Âgées)

ASPA is the benefit allowance given to qualifying retirees resident in France. It is available to people who are in receipt of a personal, a widows or a widowers pension. It is available to foreigners (EU and non-EU) legally resident in France.

To qualify, a person must:

be over 65 (or between 60 and 65 and recognised as being unable to work)
have a monthly income of less than €648.43 per person or €1,135.78 per couple (as at 01/09/08)

This benefit may also be paid in addition to the payment received for a dependent partner (L'allocation de solidarité peut aussi être attribuée en complément de la majoration pour conjoint à charge).

The amount payable varies depending on the beneficiary's income, with a monthly maximum of €677.13 per person and €1,147.14 per couple (as at 01/04/09). The payment of the benefit is terminated if the beneficiary leaves the country permanently. It is recovered (repaid by the beneficiary) if they receive an inheritance over €39,000.

To download an application form: Click here (PDF in French)

URSSAF

URSSAF, the Union de Recouvrement des cotisations de la Sécurité Sociale et d'Allocations Familiales is the body that looks after self-employed people. It is there that application is submitted to be a travailleur independent. URSSAF collect social security contributions and allocates a CAF depending on the profession, which entitles the worker to family allowance and so forth. A self-employed person does not depend on the local CPAM, they are allocated an organisation related to their profession, but this functions in exactly the same way as a CPAM.

As of 1st January 2008, the activities of the RSI, Régime Social des Indépendants, have been widened: it is now the only contact for independent workers for their social security payments, and has taken over the receipt of family benefit contributions, along with the CSG and CRDS, which was previously carried out by URSSAF.

Assistante Sociale - Social Worker

Assistantes Sociales are there to help with any problem or need for information relating to Social Security benefits and other social affairs that involve family members. They will tell you what to do or what paperwork is needed to claim allowances and put this to the appropriate people, advise on what you should do in case of divorce, child abuse, financial difficulties and so forth. They can be contacted via your local mairie. Most mairies have set times when you can see an Assistante Sociale, no appointments are necessary, normally you wait your turn.

Assurance Mutuelle or Top-up insurance

The obligatory social security pays up to 70% of your medical costs, and 100% for pregnancy and in other specific circumstances. To ensure that you are covered for the 30% that you have to pay, you can buy a mutuelle, or compliment insurance from any insurance broker. This is a nationally recognised scheme and works very well with the Social Security. Prices vary according to the company, so it is always best to shop around. You can have 100% cover, or 150% or more if you choose. This basically means that the percentage that the doctor or dentist charges over and above the official limit (barême) will be reimbursed. There are various schemes available giving different benefits for different needs, and this needs to be carefully chosen with your insurance broker.

Related Information

AMELI Assurance Maladie en Ligne (in French) has an English-language section for EU and UK citizens: Click here
General information from the French Government (in French)
URSSAF
CAF Caisse D'Allocations Familiales (in French)