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APA — Personal Autonomy Allowance for seniors in France
The APA (Allocation Personnalisée d'Autonomie) is the main financial support for French residents aged 60+ who experience a loss of autonomy. Paid monthly by the local Conseil départemental (county council), it can fund home care services, meal delivery, day care, technical aids and home modifications.
Key facts (2025)
- Eligible: residents aged 60+, with a GIR rating between 1 (very dependent) and 4 (moderately dependent).
- Not eligible: GIR 5 and 6 (autonomous) — but local home help may still be available.
- Monthly maximum benefit: GIR 1 = €1,947 — GIR 2 = €1,564 — GIR 3 = €1,130 — GIR 4 = €754.
- Co-payment (ticket modérateur): 0% if monthly income < €878, up to 90% if > €3,234.
- Not subject to inheritance recovery (unlike the ASH for nursing homes).
- Not taxable — does not need to be declared on income tax.
How to apply
- Download the CERFA n°16301*01 form from service-public.fr or pick it up at the CCAS, CLIC or Maison Départementale de l'Autonomie (MDA).
- Gather documents: ID, recent proof of address (< 3 months), last tax assessment notice, IBAN, social security certificate.
- Submit by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt to the Conseil départemental of your residence.
- Within 30 days, a medico-social team visits your home to assess the GIR using the AGGIR grid (10 daily activities).
- Within 2 months total, you receive notification of decision (GIR, care plan, amount, co-payment).
- First payment is retroactive to the date of complete file submission.
Free APA calculator
Estimate your APA amount in 2 minutes with our calculator (in French, but self-explanatory with sliders and dropdowns).
Open APA calculator