Use UK route to avoid bureaucracy

The UK government is also planning to issue separate E121s to holders and their dependents. Unitl now dependents have been added to one main form.

The change will mean the main holder has a form with his / her name on it and each dependent (partner or child) has a form with the holder's name and their own name.

The E121 is issued to expats entitled to UK state pensions as well as younger people who claimed incapacity benefit in the UK. It enables entry into the French health service.

A change in EU regulations in 1998 meant spouses and other members of a family who were previously covered automatically by a person's E121 had to apply separately for official recognition.

This led to problems around the definition of 'dependent' and increased bureaucracy.

It forced dependents to apply to their CPAMs using an E107 form, leading to confusion.
Some CPAM offices had never heard of the E107, did not have one or were too busy to follow cumbersome procedures. Problems still persist with the system, with some people forced to appeal to a tribunal or to the French Health Ministry.

The British International Pensions Centre have now decided they will, on request, bypass the E107 procedure.

Advisers there say if an E121 holder calls them and asks to add a dependent to their form they will arrange it, without the holder going via the French authorities with an E107. They will then send out a form with the dependent's name on it. Contact should be made with the centre a month before the first partner becomes eligible.

There is still some confusion as to who is recognised as a dependant. In the case of a married couple your CPAM should accept newly added dependents without question.
They are seen as one household in French law and make joint tax declarations. Pacsed couples should be given the same treatment.

However, doubt remains over those who are cohabiting. The UK authorities say if a person insists, they will send out a form listing the unmarried partner as a dependant but local CPAMs have the right not to accept it for registration.

In French law, in such circumstances, a person is only a dependent if they are wholly financially dependent on the other. CPAMs are entitled to ask for proof although some CPAMs can be more accommodating than others.

E121 entitlement usually comes from gaining the right to a British state pension, thus it is typical that one family member reaches entitlement before another. If the wife and husband are the same age, the wife will reach pension age earlier - at 60 rather than 65.
When the second partner qualifies in their own right they will no longer be a dependant beneficiary.

To make an application for issue call the International Pensions Centre, which is open 8.00 - 20.00 UK time (have your National Insurance number ready) on 0044 (0)191 2187777.