In France, more than 11 million people come to the aid, partially or totally, of a person around them, parents, spouses, neighbours… for all acts of daily life. But only 16,000 of these caregivers have asked to take specific leave and to benefit from the payment of daily allowances since their introduction on October 1, 2020.
Relieve the daily task of family caregivers who take care of a parent or loved one with a great loss of autonomy, such was the objective of the “caregiver leave” which came into force in 2017. Caregiver leave then replaced the family support leave which allowed employees with at least 2 years of seniority in their company, to temporarily cease their professional activity to help a loved one with a loss of autonomy. This renewable 3-month leave was initially unpaid. But since October 1, 2020, carers who support a loved one with a loss of autonomy can, under certain conditions, claim the payment of daily allowances.
Caregiver leave: mixed results
After a year of operation, the results are very mixed. Only 16,000 people asked to benefit from this leave, a very small number in view of the millions of people potentially concerned. The reason ? Its too restrictive nature (the disability rate of the person being helped must be greater than 80%), the too short duration of the leave (3 months throughout their career, renewable provided they do not exceed a total of one year) and aid far too low to be attractive, according to the groups of helpers.
Caregiver leave: who is concerned?
Caregiver leave is open to any employee who takes care of a person who is disabled or with a loss of autonomy, who resides in France on a “stable and regular” basis and who is:
- The person with whom the employee lives as a couple
- One of his parents, a child, the child for whom he is responsible or his collateral until the 4and degree (brother, sister, aunt, uncle, first cousin, nephew, niece…)
- The ascendant, the descendant or the collateral until 4and degree of the person with whom the employee lives as a couple
- An elderly or disabled person with whom he resides or with whom he has close and stable ties, to whom he helps on a regular and frequent basis without being paid for it.
Caregiver leave: how does it work?
The employee must inform his employer of his wish to take caregiver leave by registered letter or e-mail (you will find sample letter here). The request must be sent at least 1 month before the planned date of departure on leave. However, the leave may begin immediately if it is justified by one of the following situations:
- Emergency linked in particular to a sudden deterioration in the state of health of the person being cared for (certified by medical certificate)
- Crisis situation requiring urgent action by the employee
- Sudden cessation of accommodation in an establishment from which the person assisted was benefiting (certified by the person in charge of the establishment).
This leave of a period of 3 months, is renewable within the limit of one year accumulated over the entire career of the employee.
Caregiver leave: how to benefit from allowances
Caregiver leave is still not paid by the employer but since September 30 the employee can receive a caregiver daily allowance (AJPA). Its daily amount is €43.83 for a person living as a couple and 52,08 € for a single person. The employee is entitled to a maximum of 22 days of AJPA per month, within the limit of 66 days during his professional career.
The request for daily allowance for caregivers is made to the Family Allowance Fund (Caf). You will find the form to send them here.
Read also :
- Caregivers are in fragile health
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- 1 caregiver in 5 devotes more than 40 hours per week to a loved one
- Family caregivers are in fragile health