Aid & Benefits Update: APL Revaluation, 2026 Freeze, and Other Changes Affecting Your Budget

Catch up on the October APL increase, looming 2026 aid freeze, RSA/Prime simplifications, and what it means for your household budget in France.

As French households continue to grapple with rising prices, several adjustments to national aid and benefit schemes came into force this autumn. Some measures offer slight relief, others point to tighter budgets ahead. Here’s what changed — and how it may affect you.

APL & Housing Benefits: +1.04% from 1 October

Housing benefits (APL, ALF, ALS) rose by 1.04 % on 1 October 2025, following the official rent-index adjustment. In real terms, that means an extra €2–3 per month for an average €225 benefit. Payments will be visible in November transfers due to CAF’s payment schedule.

Read our full breakdown of the APL revaluation here.

Freeze Planned for 2026

The Finance Ministry’s draft budget plans to freeze annual increases in APL, AAH, PAJE and other major aid programmes in 2026. Unless amended in Parliament, that would halt routine inflation-linked rises — a move already criticised by anti-poverty groups.

Administrative Simplifications for RSA & Prime d’Activité

Since March 2025, CAF forms for RSA and Prime d’Activité have been pre-filled with income data, making quarterly declarations faster and reducing error-based penalties. Beneficiaries now simply confirm or amend pre-filled figures.

Earlier 2025 Adjustments

April 2025: Most family-related benefits, including AAH and basic allocations, were raised by roughly +1.7 % to track inflation.
Allocations familiales also saw modest increases earlier in the year.

Why This Matters

For households already watching every euro, the October rise in APL provides only modest relief, but the prospect of a 2026 freeze could gradually erode purchasing power. Administrative changes should at least cut paperwork stress and limit delays in RSA/Prime payments.

For more context on how these changes fit into everyday budgets, see our guide: Cost of Living in France 2025: A Realistic Breakdown for Families on a Budget.

Note: This article is for general information only and not financial advice. For personal situations, consult your local CAF office or a qualified advisor.