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The allowance for disabled adults (AAH) provides a minimum income, with a disability rate of at least 80%, or 50 to 79% if the disability seriously limits access to employment.
Learn more ↗Your rights and procedures
Recognition of disability, financial support, adjustments at work or school, cover for care: the main schemes, explained simply.
This information applies to France only. Do you live in another country? Support and procedures are different there: contact the social services or health insurance of your country, or write to us and we will help you find the right contact.The MDPH, a one-stop shop
The Maison départementale des personnes handicapées (MDPH, the local disability office) in your department handles most disability-related applications: recognition, financial support, card, adjustments at school or work. EDS, gastroparesis or another disabling chronic illness can open rights there, even if the disability is invisible.
One application is enough for several requests. It includes a form, a medical certificate completed by your doctor (valid for one year) and, if possible, reports describing your difficulties. The decision is made by a committee, the CDAPH.
The law provides for a reply within 4 months, but actual waiting times vary between departments: submit your application early and keep a copy.
What you can apply for
Conditions depend in particular on the disability rate set by the MDPH and on your situation. The links lead to the official fact sheets, always up to date (in French).
PCH
The disability compensation benefit (PCH) funds human help, equipment (wheelchair, non-reimbursed orthoses…) or adaptations to your home or vehicle.
Learn more ↗Mobility inclusion card
“Priority” mention (seats, queues) when standing is difficult, “parking” mention, or “disability” mention from 80%.
Learn more ↗RQTH
Recognition as a disabled worker (RQTH) makes it easier to adapt your job or hours and gives access to employment support.
Learn more ↗AEEH (children)
The disabled child education allowance (AEEH) helps parents cover costs related to the disability of a child under 20.
Learn more ↗School
A PAI (without going through the MDPH) or a PPS, a classroom assistant (AESH) and exam adjustments can be put in place according to the child’s needs.
Learn more ↗Care, sick leave, transport and insurance
ALD
EDS and gastroparesis are not on the list of long-term conditions (ALD), but your doctor can apply for an “off-list” ALD if the illness is serious, lasting and costly to treat. Related care is then covered at 100% of the French Health Insurance rate (excluding excess fees).
Learn more ↗Therapeutic part-time work
Prescribed by your doctor, it lets you return to or keep working part-time, with a top-up paid by health insurance, in agreement with your employer.
Disability pension
If your capacity to work is reduced by at least two thirds, a pension can make up for part of the loss of income.
Learn more ↗Transport to get care
With a medical prescription, journeys to your care can be reimbursed, especially in connection with an ALD. For a journey of more than 150 km (to a distant reference centre, for example), prior approval must be requested: without a reply within 15 days, approval is granted.
Learn more ↗Complémentaire santé solidaire (free or low-cost top-up cover)
Depending on your income, it covers the share of care not reimbursed by the Assurance maladie, free of charge or for a small monthly contribution.
Learn more ↗Borrowing with a health condition
For a home loan of less than €200,000 per person, repaid before you turn 60, no health questionnaire can be required. Beyond that, the AERAS agreement governs how your insurance application is assessed.
Learn more ↗Carrying on in good conditions
The occupational health doctor can suggest adjustments to your job or hours, remote working or adapted equipment. You can see them on your own initiative, without going through your employer, and they are bound by medical confidentiality.
With RQTH, Agefiph (private sector) or FIPHFP (public sector) can fund adjustments, and Cap emploi helps you stay in work.
In higher education, each university or school’s disability service helps you get adjustments to your studies and exams.
Loved ones have rights too
Carer’s leave lets you suspend or reduce your work to support a loved one, with a daily allowance paid under certain conditions by the CAF or MSA.
Respite solutions and helplines also exist to prevent burnout.
Carer’s leave ↗A few tips for your applications
Describe the bad days
Explain what you cannot do on a bad day, and how often, rather than describing a good day.
Concrete examples
“I cannot stand for more than 10 minutes”, “I have to split my meals”: the impact counts more than the name of the illness.
A detailed certificate
Take time to fill in the medical certificate with your doctor, and attach reports from specialists and centres.
Challenging a decision
If you disagree, you have 2 months to ask the MDPH for a review (a free appeal, required before going to court).
Official sources
Amounts and conditions change regularly: always check these sites (in French) before taking any step.
Mon Parcours Handicap
The official site on the rights of disabled people
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Service-public.fr
Official fact sheets on support and allowances
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Ameli
Health insurance: ALD, sick leave, disability
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Agefiph
Support for staying in work (private sector)
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Important information
This page gives general pointers and does not replace the advice of a social worker, the MDPH or your health insurance fund, which look at each situation.
Need help with an application?
Other members have been through it: talking with them often helps you find your way. You can also ask for an appointment with the social worker at your hospital or town hall.