How france's free ccas centres can help residents

The Prime Minister recently pledged €60million in ‘sustainable’ food aid for 2023, which France’s network of _centres communaux d’action sociale_ (CCAS) will have a role in distributing.

This is just one of the ways these centres can support local residents, particularly as inflation bites. A CCAS is mandatory for towns of more than 1,500 inhabitants and optional for smaller

villages, but even many French people are unaware of services they offer. “In France, there are lots of institutions, and it is complicated to know who to turn to when you have a problem,”

said Jean-Baptiste Meaux, who works for the UDCCAS for the Nord department, a union of 205 local CCAS. EVERY CCAS HAS THREE MAIN DUTIES They must provide a permanent address to people

without a fixed address, or who require administrative independence from a violent partner, for example; maintain a database of local residents who receive benefits; and analyse the needs of

the local population. The CCAS can decide which additional forms of support to offer. For foreign residents in France, the CCAS can be invaluable in providing guidance and support when

completing forms and applications related to every kind of social benefit, including: * The A_llocation personnalisée d’autonomie_ (Apa), which helps elderly people cover the costs of

continuing to live at home; * The _Complémentaire santé solidaire_, free or subsidised top-up health insurance for people on low incomes; * The _Allocation aux adultes handicapés_ (AAH),

which ensures disabled people have a minimum level of income. How much help you can get with filling in applications depends on your town. “Certain CCAS will say it is not their role to do

the job of the Caf, for example, which is supposed to help people with the process [of applying for APL housing benefits]. But since certain institutions no longer take face-to-face

appointments, a large majority of CCAS will do so.” They can also help people understand which support measures they qualify for. “We don’t expect people to be familiar with every support

package,” Mr Meaux said. Around a third of households eligible for the ‘back-to-work/work top-up’ social benefit Revenu de solidarité active (RSA) do not claim it, and a fifth do not use the

chèque énergie voucher, even though it is sent out automatically. LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRIDE STOP PEOPLE FROM CLAIMING Mr Meaux believes this is due to a lack of knowledge, as well as

pride, stemming from the demonisation of benefit recipients. “Instead of talking about social aid, we could talk about social rights, instead of food aid, food rights, because being fed is a

condition for living.” He said that since the pandemic new categories of people have been arriving at the CCAS, notably more students and those in precarious employment. The centres are

presided by the local mayor but run on a daily basis by a director who is often someone from the field of social work. They are administered by a board composed of councillors and ordinary

citizens selected by the mayor, often representing associations, which decides what additional programmes to offer. “It depends half on the mayor’s campaign promises, and half on the

analysis of social needs which is undertaken after every mayoral election,” Mr Meaux said. This research, which can be purely statistical or involve feedback from local associations,

highlights local demographics and ways residents could be better supported. Many CCASs cater their services to seniors, with meal deliveries, retirement homes, home help, and events and

other actions to combat social isolation. Another common service is food aid, either through vouchers, food packages, or by partnering with associations to offer organic vegetables, for

example. One northern town offers a shuttle service so elderly people can do their shopping in a nearby town. Another recently held a workshop to demonstrate ways to reduce electricity

usage. Some centres also offer _microcrédits_ – small, short-term loans to help residents manage unexpected problems, when they are unable to get a bank loan due to a lack of income or an

unstable job situation. “The larger the town, the more funds it has, and the likelier it is to offer different things,” Mr Meaux said. While much of their work is aimed at certain

categories, particularly those on the margins of society, many social and educational events are open to all. HOW TO DISCOVER MORE You can visit the CCAS directly without an appointment to

learn how they can help. You can find details at the town hall. It might also be possible to volunteer at your local centre – for example, to phone and check in on vulnerable people. Since

the deadly heatwave of 2003, town halls must keep a _registre des personnes vulnérables_, a list of elderly, isolated and disabled people to communicate with in case of emergency. This list

is often delegated to the CCAS, and you can usually contact your centre to request to be added. Since the CCAS operate at commune level, you can only be served by the centre for the town in

which you live. Smaller towns sometimes come together to run a _centre intercommunal d’action sociale_ (CIAS), often in addition to the CCAS, which might focus on a specific topic, such as

helping people back into work. RELATED ARTICLES WHERE CAN I GO TO OBTAIN FREE ADVICE ABOUT LEGAL ISSUES IN FRANCE? WHAT ARE FRANCE SERVICES POINTS AND HOW CAN THEY HELP YOU? FRANCECONNECT:

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