Certain conditions must be met in order to receive the French disability benefits, the AAH or Allocation Aux Adultes Handicapés. 

You must live in France full time and be either:

• French
• An EU citizen or the family member (spouse/child) of an EU citizen 
• Non-EU but completely legal resident and registered in France

Your degree of incapacity must be at least 80%, or if it is less, you have to be recognised as unable to work. If your disability is less than 80%, then you must be under the age of 60 when you apply for this benefit.

Your degree of disability must be evaluated by COTOREP (Commission Technique d'Orientation et de Reclassement Professionnel) who will also agree and state:

• your right to, and length of the payment, of this benefit
• the availability of benefit for a third person
• the availability of an "invalid" card
• the admission to a specialised centre or a work centre for disabled persons - MAS (Maison d’Accueil Spécialisée) or CAT (Centre d’Aide par le Travail)
• the availability of free pension contributions for the carer of the person with disabilities

The amount (as of 30/06/04)

The maximum benefit you will receive is at present €587.74 per month. You will receive this amount if your income is under the fixed limit (bareme). If your income is even a little more than that limit, your benefit (allocation) will be reduced. If you receive a pension or other income you will receive the difference between the amount of that income and the maximum benefit allowed. 

Be aware that if you are hospitalised or admitted to an MAS or CAT your benefits will be reduced. A supplement for this benefit amounting to €94,04 can be paid on the following conditions if you: 

• have at least 80% disability 
• receive the full AAH (Allocation Adultes Handicapés) allowance
• have reduced benefit with pension advantages
• have a work accident benefit 

How to Claim

Request the application form for the AAH at the COTOREP offices, from your CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) or from a social worker (assistante sociale) and send it to COTOREP. Your allowance, if you are eligible, will start from the month that follows your application. 

Other rights

If you receive the AAH you also have rights to maternity allowances if required. You will also be exempt from the local taxes (taxe d’habitation). 

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on French Social Security Organisations 
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Notes for the Disabled
• Information (in French) from the French Government website
• Information (in French) from the French Service Public website

Limousin COTOREP offices:

• Corrèze (19) 
  COTOREP  (Commission Technique Orientation Reclassement Prof) 
  At: Rue Souham, 19000 Tulle
  Tel: 05 55 26 30 89
  Fax: 05 55 26 02 62
• Creuse (23)
  COTOREP (Commission Technique Orientation Reclass Professionnel)
  Pôle Marché du Travail-Cotorep
  At: Place Bonnyaud, 23000 Guéret 
  Tel: 05 55 41 86 47
  Fax: 05 55 41 86 62
• Haute-Vienne (87)
  COTOREP (Commission Technique Orientation Reclassement Professionnel des Travailleurs Handicapés)
  At: boulevard George Sand, 36000 Chateauroux
  Tel: 02 54 53 80 40
  

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