Requesting Exceptional Financial Assistance

CAF can grant exceptional financial assistance in cases of sudden financial hardship or exceptional circumstances, in addition to regular benefits. These requests are studied case by case by the social action committee.

This page explains how to draft this request, what information to provide, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter.

When should you write this letter?

• You're facing a sudden exceptional financial circumstance;
• You need urgent assistance to cover an essential expense;
• Your regular benefits don't cover your current situation;
• You're experiencing a significant health or social crisis;
• You need support to overcome a temporary difficult period.

In all these cases, a written assistance request remains the best way to present your situation.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and beneficiary number;
• The nature of the exceptional circumstance in detail;
• The amount or type of assistance requested;
• Your current income and financial situation;
• Supporting documents for your situation.

The more detailed and honest the request, the greater the chance of it being reviewed positively.

Official letter template

Important note: the letter sent to CAF must be written in French, as it is a French administration. Below is a template you can use as a basis.

[First name LAST NAME]
[Full address]
[Beneficiary number]

CAF of [Department]
[CAF address]

Written in [City], on [Date]

Subject: Request for exceptional financial assistance

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am requesting exceptional assistance given my current situation: [description of situation].

[...]

→ The complete letter, tailored precisely to your situation and ready to send, is generated automatically in 3 minutes using the tool above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides on granting this assistance?

The social action committee at CAF studies each request individually.

Is this assistance guaranteed?

No, the decision is at the committee's discretion based on studying your individual situation.

What types of circumstances are accepted?

Sudden financial crises, health problems, impactful life events, among other cases.

How long does the response take?

It can vary depending on urgency, from a few days to a few weeks.

Can I request it more than once?

Yes, but each request is studied independently based on your current situation.