Registering for social benefits

How do I register for government social systems in France?

Social benefits are administered through different national agencies depending on the type of assistance required – as such, you will need to register with each.

Healthcare including maternity and paternity care is done through the local caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (see chapter 18). Family benefits such as housing aid, income support, family allowances, and childcare support are provided through the caisse d’allocations familiales, accessible at caf.fr.

France Travail, formerly known as Pôle emploi, is responsible for employment assistance and benefits.

Can I continue to claim US benefits (if any) and for how long?

Many US citizens can get social security benefits while living outside the US (see here).

For example, for Americans who were previously claiming Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), this is typically exportable to France if you remain eligible for it.

France is among countries on the list of those where payments are allowed to be sent. 

Note that under the US France Totalization Agreement, if you have worked in both countries and lack sufficient US credits, your French work credits may help you qualify for partial US benefits or avoid reduction under foreign pension provisions.

The US Social Services Administration (SSA) requires you to update your information – it also provides a Payments Abroad screening tool as a further helpful source.

Some other benefits such as SSI, Medicare/Medicaid, and unemployment benefits, cannot be exported.

For help and advice, the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) at the US Embassy in Paris can provide assistance.