Contesting an Overpayment Claim

If CAF asks you to repay an amount you believe is undue or incorrect, you can contest this claim via a detailed letter, supported by documents proving your position.

This page explains how to draft this appeal, 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 believe the amount claimed for repayment is incorrect;
• The situation that led to this overpayment wasn't your fault;
• You want to submit documents proving your previous declarations were correct;
• You noticed a calculation error by CAF;
• The deadline for appeal hasn't expired yet.

In all these cases, a written appeal remains the best way to defend your position.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and beneficiary number;
• The repayment claim reference and date;
• The amount in dispute;
• The precise and detailed reason for your objection;
• Documents supporting your position.

The more detailed and well-documented the appeal, the greater the chance of it being accepted.

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: Contesting an overpayment

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am contesting the overpayment of [amount] euros notified on [date], for the following reason: [reason].

[...]

→ 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

What is an overpayment?

It's an amount paid to you in error that must be returned to CAF, often due to a change that wasn't reported in time.

Can I request installment repayment of the overpayment?

Yes, if you don't contest it or your appeal is rejected, you can request a repayment schedule.

Is the overpayment deducted from my current benefits?

Yes, it's often deducted gradually from upcoming monthly payments.

What's the difference between contesting and requesting a remise gracieuse?

Contesting disputes the accuracy of the amount itself, while remise gracieuse requests relief for humanitarian reasons without disputing accuracy.

How much time do I have to appeal?

Two months from the date of the repayment claim notice.