The National Assembly votes the deconjugalization of the Disabled Adult Allowance

The National Assembly voted unanimously less than one vote overnight from Wednesday to Thursday the deconjugalization of the disabled adult allowance (AAH), by adopting amendments tabled by all the groups, after several refusals from the executive during of the previous legislature.

The spouse's income will no longer be taken into account for the calculation of this benefit from October 2023 at the latest, a measure that has long been demanded by opposition parties and associations.

"We are living in a historic moment", welcomed the Minister of Labor Olivier Dussopt.

"I believe that if there is a subject that deserves to vote together this evening, it is the one that will allow the deconjugalization of the AAH", declared Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Assembly deputies, after a stormy afternoon session.

Socialist Arthur Delaporte spoke of a measure that remedies the “price of love” and “humiliation”.

“The majority of the time was fiercely opposed to deconjugalization,” recalled the elected LR Aurélien Pradier, a great defender of the measure during the previous term. “It is true Mrs. Le Pen that you did not vote for the last law that we proposed” on this subject, he added.

The majority then pointed out that some recipients would lose out and that the cost would be too high.

The date of entry into force has nevertheless been the subject of debate. “October 2023 is too late,” environmentalists objected to the implementation deadline.

“Technical considerations require a period of implementation” like modifications of computer systems, pleaded the rapporteur for the majority Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq, pointing to amendments which are “not realistic”.

“A technical working meeting” will be organised, promised Olivier Dussopt. "If we can go further, we will."

If 160.000 people will see their allowance increase by 300 euros on average, according to evaluations carried out by the Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (DREES), around 45.000 people could be harmed in the event of deconjugalization " dry”.

To compensate for this loss, a “transitional device” was adopted by the deputies.

Created in 1975, the AAH is intended to compensate for the inability to work. With a maximum amount of 904 euros per month, it is paid on medical and social criteria. It now has more than 1,2 million beneficiaries, including 270.000 couples, for an annual expenditure of around 11 billion euros.

The Editorial Board (with AFP)