Understanding France's PCH Disability Compensation Benefit: Coverage, Eligibility, and How to Apply

The Disability Compensation Benefit (PCH) provides essential financial support to cover costs associated with loss of autonomy, helping individuals perform daily activities. This aid is granted based on specific criteria, including disability level, age, and financial resources.

What Expenses Does the PCH Disability Compensation Benefit Cover?

PCH reimburses costs for human assistance, technical aids, transportation, or housing adaptations needed to manage loss of autonomy. Examples include hiring home help, accessing health support services, compensating family caregivers, modifying living spaces or vehicles, maintaining wheelchairs, or repairing medical beds. It also funds guide or assistance animals up to €3,000 every five years to promote independence.

Who Qualifies for the PCH Disability Compensation Benefit?

PCH offers tailored financial assistance based on individual circumstances for those residing stably in France—at home or in social/health facilities. Non-EU foreigners need a residence card or permit.

Individuals with Significant Loss of Autonomy

Eligibility starts with a substantial loss of autonomy: "absolute" (unable to perform an activity independently) or "serious" difficulties in mobility, communication, or self-care.

Typically Under Age 60, with Exceptions

Initial applications require being under 60, but extensions are possible up to 75 or beyond if employed past 60. Renewals ignore age limits if conditions persist and no switch to Personalized Autonomy Allowance (APA) occurred—PCH and APA cannot combine. Children and adolescents under 20 may qualify under specific rules.

Resource Assessment for PCH

Managed by departmental councils, PCH isn't strictly means-tested but resources influence personal contributions. Lower income means less out-of-pocket costs. Coverage is 100% if prior-year (N-1) resources ≤ €26,845.70 (2018 figure); above that, it's 80%, capped by service limits.

Calculations exclude:

• Professional income of the applicant, cohabitant, or resident caregivers;
• Retirement and invalidity pensions from compulsory schemes;
• Unemployment benefits, specific solidarity allowance, or pension equivalents;
• Sickness, maternity, work accident/illness benefits, or asbestos worker early termination allowances;
• Family benefits;
• Adult Disability Allowance (AAH);
• Housing allowances;
• Activity bonuses;
• Divorce/separation pensions;
• Survivor or disability savings pensions.

PCH payments are non-recoverable from estates.

Steps to Apply for PCH

Submit to the local Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées (MDPH) using Cerfa form n°13788*01—a detailed medical certificate completed by a doctor. Send preferably by registered mail with acknowledgment.

A multidisciplinary team evaluates needs, proposes a personalized plan, and forwards to the Commission des Droits et de l'Autonomie des Personnes Handicapées (CDAPH) for decision within 4 months. No response means refusal.