Caisse nationale des Allocations familiales

CAF, also known as the Caisse nationale des Allocations familiales, is the French national agency responsible for delivering family and social benefits. Its core services include the payment of family allowances, housing aid, early childhood support, and various solidarity benefits aimed at low‑income households. These benefits are provided to residents of France who meet eligibility criteria defined by national legislation. The agency operates through a nationwide network of local offices that process applications, verify eligibility, and disburse funds. By administering these payments, CAF supports household purchasing power and contributes to social cohesion across the country.

As a public institution, CAF is part of the French social security system and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. Its distinguishing attribute is the mandate to translate national family and solidarity policies into concrete financial assistance for beneficiaries. Unlike private insurers, CAF does not seek profit; its funding derives from social contributions and allocations from the state budget. The agency also contributes to the monitoring and evaluation of social policies, providing data that informs legislative adjustments. The February 2024 cyberattack, in which attackers claimed access to hundreds of thousands of accounts but only a small number of records were confirmed compromised, highlighted the importance of safeguarding the personal data managed by CAF. Following the incident, the agency temporarily suspended its online portal, reinforced security measures, notified affected individuals, and cooperated with regulators and law enforcement.