Frequently Asked Questions about APL

APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is financial aid provided by CAF to reduce your rent. It is available to tenants, co-tenants and hostel residents, subject to income conditions.

APL is available to tenants of subsidized housing, whether they are employees, students, unemployed or retirees. The main conditions are: being a tenant, having income below the thresholds, and occupying the housing as your primary residence.

APL is calculated based on your rent (capped according to your zone), your N-2 tax income, household composition, and the geographic zone of your housing (1, 2 or 3). Our simulator applies official CAF 2026 rates.

Zone 1 covers Paris and neighbouring municipalities. Zone 2 covers large urban areas with over 100,000 inhabitants. Zone 3 covers the rest of the territory. Rent ceilings decrease from Zone 1 to Zone 3.

After submitting your complete file on caf.fr, allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing. APL is paid on the 5th of each month, starting from the month following your move-in date.

APL can be paid directly to the landlord (third-party payment) or to the tenant. In most cases, it is paid to the landlord who deducts it from the rent. You can request to receive it directly.

Yes, students can benefit from APL if they rent subsidized housing. The income considered is the student's own (not the parents'). CROUS residents are eligible.

APL cannot be combined with ALF or ALS. However, it can be combined with other aid such as RSA, activity bonus, or student scholarships.

Since 2021, CAF uses your income from the last 12 months (not N-2) to recalculate APL every quarter. If your income decreases, your APL may increase automatically.

Log in to caf.fr > My Account > Contact my CAF. You can also call 3230 (free service) or visit your CAF office. Processing times are 15 to 30 days.