In less than 48 hours, nearly 3 million families will receive a transfer into their bank account: the 2026 back-to-school allowance (ARS) is officially due to be paid on Tuesday, August 18, as confirmed by France's Social Security Directorate. Who is eligible? How much will you receive? And what should you do if your child is between 16 and 18? Here is everything you need to know.

What is the back-to-school allowance?

The ARS, sometimes referred to as the back-to-school payment, is a means-tested benefit paid by the CAF or MSA. It is designed to help lower-income families cover back-to-school costs such as supplies, clothing and school equipment. It applies to children in education aged 6 to 18.

Note: children in nursery school are not eligible, nor are those over 18, even if they continue their studies.

Payment date: August 18, 2026

The official date was confirmed in a statement from France's Social Security Directorate on July 16, 2026. The timetable is as follows:

  • August 18, 2026 — Mainland France, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique
  • August 4, 2026 — Réunion and Mayotte (already paid)

August 18 is the date the transfer is initiated. Depending on your bank, the money may appear in your account one or two working days later.

ARS amounts for 2026

The amounts were increased by 0.8% on April 1, 2026, in line with inflation. They vary according to the child's age on December 31, 2026, not their age on the payment date:

  • Ages 6 to 10 — €426.87 per child
  • Ages 11 to 14 — €450.41 per child
  • Ages 15 to 18 — €466.02 per child

These amounts are multiplied by the number of dependent children. For example, a family with one 12-year-old child and one 17-year-old child will receive €450.41 + €466.02 = €916.43 in a single payment.

Tip: the CAF uses the child's age on December 31, 2026, not in August. A child who is 14 when the payment is made but turns 15 before December 31 will be placed in the 15-18 age band. This can mean a difference of more than €15 per child.

Income conditions: 2026 thresholds

The ARS is means-tested. Your 2024 net categorical income (year N-2) is used as the reference. The thresholds for the 2026 school year are:

  • 1 dependent child — €28,956
  • 2 dependent children — €35,638
  • 3 dependent children — €42,320
  • 4 dependent children — €49,002
  • For each additional child: + €6,682

If you exceed these thresholds only slightly, you may qualify for a partial ARS, with a reduced amount calculated proportionally, so do not assume you are ineligible if your income is only just above the limit.

Automatic payment or action required?

For children under 16, payment is automatic if your CAF file is up to date. No action is required.

For children aged 16 to 18 (born between September 16, 2008 and December 31, 2010), however, you must declare that your child is still in education on caf.fr from mid-July. Without this step, the allowance is not paid — and it is not retroactive. If you have not done this yet, contact your CAF promptly.

If you are not already a benefit recipient, you will need to submit a declaration of circumstances to your CAF or MSA.

Is the ARS taxable?

No. The back-to-school allowance is not taxable and does not need to be declared for tax purposes. It is not treated as income.

In the event of separation or shared custody

In the event of separation, the ARS is paid to the parent who has actual custody of the children. In cases of shared custody, it is paid to the parent who applies first — it cannot be split. It is therefore important to coordinate with the other parent if the arrangement is not clearly defined.

Can the ARS be combined with other benefits?

Yes. The back-to-school allowance can be combined with family benefits, RSA, the activity bonus, school grants for collège and lycée, and other CAF or MSA support. It is a separate scheme with its own eligibility criteria.

What to remember

The 2026 back-to-school payment will be made on August 18 for the vast majority of French families. The amount ranges from €426.87 to €466.02 per child depending on age. If your child is between 16 and 18 and you have not yet declared their school attendance on caf.fr, contact your CAF promptly — it may not be too late to put your file in order. And if your income is only slightly above the threshold, remember to check whether you qualify for a partial ARS.