David Clarinval, Minister of Employment, announces that he is tabling amendments in the plenary session of Parliament today. These amendments from the Arizona majority complement the bill of MP Nahima Lanjri to quickly secure the situation of unemployed informal carers. These amendments, agreed in the Kern on 13 February, will prevent people who devote themselves to a sick, elderly or disabled relative from being left without sufficient income from 1 March 2026. The Minister asks informal carers excluded from unemployment benefits who have not yet submitted an exemption request to come forward as soon as possible, and in any case before the end of March, to their payment institution to obtain recognition as an informal carer.
During the unemployment reform, a transitional protection mechanism had been provided for jobseekers who are informal carers in situations of intensive caregiving, benefiting from an ONEM exemption. The current amount of their allowance, between 316 and 390 euros per month, is clearly insufficient. Aware of the human realities these people face, Minister Clarinval has made this issue a priority.
By amending the Lanjri bill with significant amendments, and ensuring it is voted on without delay, David Clarinval intends to substantially improve the situation of jobseeking informal carers.
- Substantial increase in allowances
From 1 March 2026, the unemployment allowance linked to the exemption for informal carers will be raised to 761.02 euros per month, compared to 316 to 390 euros currently. This is practically double. The integration allowance for young informal carers will also be increased to match the integration allowance for cohabitants.
- Official recognition of informal carers as an access criterion
The amendments introduce, retroactively to 31 December 2025, a criterion of “care provided to a person by a recognised informal carer”. This concerns people who can produce a certificate from their health insurance fund proving their official recognition as an informal carer for the granting of social rights, in order to avoid any administrative grey area and secure their rights.
- Transition period for late applications
In principle, exemption requests for informal carers must be submitted in advance. Through the amendment, exemption requests can be submitted up to and including 31 March 2026, as an exception to the usual rule of prior submission to ONEM.
Informal carers who have lost or are losing their right to unemployment benefits on 1 January or 1 March 2026 will thus still be able to submit a request with retroactive effect.
David Clarinval explains that informal carers will benefit from tailored support: “ These amendments constitute a targeted and adapted safety net. They are part of a broader approach: the government will also develop an Action Plan for Informal Carers aimed at upgrading the current status, making it more accessible and flexible, and providing more concrete support. I am asking informal carers who are excluded or at risk of being excluded from unemployment benefits on 1 March to come forward quickly to their payment institution. After analysis of their file and verification of the conditions, the exemption for informal carers will be granted to them, with the increased allowance amount from 1 March.”