In force since 1974 and the implementation of the amending finance law, the back-to-school allowance is back for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Intended for low-income parents who have children in school, this bonus aims to cover part of the high cost of expenses related to the start of the school year, particularly in this context of inflation. The ARS is paid each year from August to eligible families by the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) and the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA). Unfortunately, and like other financials, the ARS does not apply to everyone.
For this new school year, the allowance designed to pay for school supplies for students will be paid two weeks before the official start date scheduled for September 4. In other words, as of August 16, no less than three million families, or a total of five million children, will be able to use this aid to renew their school supplies.
As explained by the Ministry of Solidarity, “the maximum amount of the back-to-school allowance will amount this year to 398.09 euros for children aged 6 to 10, 420.05 euros for children aged 11 to 14. years and 434.61 euros for teenagers aged 15 to 18.” Compared to the previous year, these amounts have increased by 5.6% but are otherwise associated with inflation. At the end of June, on franceinfo, Michel-Edouard Leclerc said he had bought Leclerc private label products “about 10% more expensive than the year before”, while committing to limit the increase in stores to “may -be 2 or 3%”.
Finally, to receive this aid before the start of the school year, household resources must be below the ceiling set at 25,775 euros for a dependent child. This limit increases by 5,948 euros for each additional dependent child. It is also important to know that if a family’s resources slightly exceed the threshold, they can still benefit from a smaller allowance.
