Declaring a Dependent Student Child

When your child becomes a student, you need to update their status with CAF to continue receiving family allowances, especially if they no longer live in the same household. This update can usually be done online, but a written letter remains useful for a special situation.

This page explains how to make this declaration, 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?

• Your child recently enrolled in higher education;
• Your child moved to separate housing to study;
• You want to confirm continued dependent status;
• You had difficulty declaring online;
• You need a school certificate to prove their status.

In all these cases, a written letter remains a reliable way to update your file.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and beneficiary number;
• The name and age of the student child;
• The educational institution attended;
• Their current address if living separately;
• A school enrollment certificate for the current year.

The more accurate this information is, the more your benefits continue without interruption.

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: Declaration of a dependent student child

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am informing you that my child [first name] is enrolled at [institution] for the year [year].

[...]

→ 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

Until what age does a child remain dependent as a student?

Until 21 or 25 depending on the benefit type, provided they remain enrolled in studies.

Do I need to renew the school certificate every year?

Yes, an annual update is often required to prove continued studies.

What happens if my child moves to separate housing?

This may open the right to separate housing benefit for them, depending on their individual situation.

Can dependent student status be combined with a scholarship?

Yes, they can be combined in most cases.

What if my child stops studying?

You must declare this immediately to avoid a later repayment claim for undue benefits.