CAF stands for caisses d’allocations familiales, and it belongs to social security system. Declaration of pregnancy to CAF (and to the health insurance company if you have mutuelle) is necessary. Theoretically it needs to be done before 14 weeks, but sometimes it’s just impossible. For me, it’s almost 25 weeks. The form, so called “nous attendez un enfant”, was from the sage femme or midwife. She wrote the DDG and signed it. Then I filled the personal information including the temporary social security number, and mailed the form to CAF. (BTW, two copies of the form mailed to CAF, and one copy mailed to the health insurance company.) Actually the distance from our home to CAF and to La Poste is similar. But I suppose going through La Poste is faster than making a RDV (appointment).
About two weeks after mailing out the form, we got our CAF number. And since then, our “conversation” with CAF has been going on and on. They have requested these information/documents in separate mails: (1) more personal information (declaration de situation); (2) birth certificate; (3) declaration of income in 2015; (4) residence permit (sejour). I always try to respond as soon as I can, then there’s long wait. Now I am still waiting for them to process the documents I sent three weeks ago, and I don’t know what they will ask for next time. Anyway, it’s interesting.
CAF is slow, but who is not? At least CAF helps people. It gives financial help to families in need. Students without income can get assistance on housing (Aides au lodgment). And in the case of pregnancy, CAF gives “prime a la naissance” to families to welcome their babies, and babies can get monthly allowance afterwards! These benefits are granted and calculated based on the situation of the family. We are not expecting anything, because we are very grateful for the health insurance already.
X