Declaring a Separation or Divorce

Separation or divorce radically changes your family status with CAF, requiring recalculation of all benefits linked to your situation: housing benefit, RSA, and family allowances. This change must be declared quickly to avoid any inconsistency in your file.

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?

• You recently separated or divorced and want to update your status;
• You moved into separate housing from your former partner;
• You want to know the impact of this change on child custody and related benefits;
• You had difficulty declaring online;
• You need to clarify shared custody arrangements.

In all these cases, a written letter remains a reliable way to clarify your new situation.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and beneficiary number;
• The date the separation or divorce took effect;
• Your new address after separation;
• Custody arrangements for children if applicable (full or shared);
• Your new income after separation;
• The list of documents attached (divorce ruling or sworn statement of separation).

The more accurate this information is, the faster your file update will be.

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 separation

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am informing you of my separation/divorce, effective [date]. My new address is [address].

[...]

→ 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 prove the separation with an official document?

Yes, a divorce ruling or sworn statement of separation may be required depending on the situation.

What happens to housing benefit after separation?

It's recalculated based on your new individual income and separate housing.

How are benefits calculated in shared custody cases?

Some benefits are split between parents according to the approved custody agreement.

Can I apply for RSA after separation?

Yes, if your income has decreased, you can submit a new RSA application based on your individual situation.

When do changes in benefits take effect?

Usually starting the month following the declaration, depending on the actual separation date declared.