Housing Benefit (APL) Renewal

Renewing Personalized Housing Benefit (APL) usually doesn't require a new application, since CAF automatically recalculates your rights based on your tax returns and reported changes in your situation. However, certain situations may require a specific letter to renew or confirm your right to this benefit, especially if you notice a payment interruption or an unexplained change in the amount.

This page explains when you need to write a renewal letter, what information to include, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter in just a few minutes.

When should you write this letter?

• You notice an unexplained suspension or stop of your housing benefit;
• You haven't received any notification of your rights being recalculated despite several months passing;
• You want to make sure CAF has all your updated information;
• Your circumstances have changed (housing, family, income) and the amount hasn't been recalculated yet;
• You need written confirmation of your renewed rights for another administrative purpose.

In all these cases, a paper letter or official email remains an effective way to clarify your situation and ask CAF to review your file.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and CAF beneficiary number;
• Your complete current address;
• The date of your last received payment and its amount;
• An accurate description of the problem observed (interruption, delay, incorrect amount);
• Any recent change in your situation that should be taken into account;
• The list of documents attached (recent tax notice, updated lease, etc.).

The more accurate this information is, the faster CAF will process your request.

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 review of my APL rights

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have noticed [describe the problem] regarding the payment of my APL since [date]. I would be grateful if you could review my file.

[...]

→ 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

Do I need to submit a renewal application every year?

No, housing benefit is automatically recalculated by CAF based on your tax returns, without needing to submit a new application each year.

Why did my benefit suddenly stop?

This could be due to a change in your income or family situation that wasn't reported, or a missing required document. It's advisable to contact CAF to find out the exact reason.

How long does recalculation take?

Recalculation usually happens automatically after your annual tax return, without significant delay if all information is correct.

Can I request a manual review of my file?

Yes, you can always request a manual review via a detailed letter, especially if you believe there's an error in the automatic calculation.

What should I do if my income changes significantly?

It's advisable to report this change immediately through your personal CAF account or a written letter, so the amount can be updated as quickly as possible.