France extends Covid-19 anti-poverty scheme to include young people
Previously excluded, young people in a precarious economic situation can now benefit from the French government's Covid-19 poverty scheme.
Some 400,000 young people will get access to the scheme, which provides low-income individuals in France with €150 extra a month, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Sunday.
"We are fully aware that when an economic crisis strikes, it first and foremost hits those in a precarious situation and young people," Castex said in an interview with Journal du dimanche.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the "exceptional aid" scheme as a measure to counter poverty during his speech to the nation on Wednesday.
The scheme tops up the monthly aid extended to those in France on the RSA low-income aid scheme, by €150 extra per month, plus €100 per child.
But but the president's announcement it became clear that the scheme would not include those aged between 18 and 25, unless they were parents.
The Fondation Abbé-Pierre, which fights poverty in France, criticised the government for leaving its young population behind.
"The government needs to refocus its target," General Director Christophe Robert told France Info during the interview last week.
Now, young people who benefit from the scheme known as aides personnalisées au logement (personalised housing help) will be included in the scheme along with students on a scholarship.
They will get €150 per month alongside their APL aid, plus €100 extra per child.
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Some 400,000 young people will get access to the scheme, which provides low-income individuals in France with €150 extra a month, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Sunday.
"We are fully aware that when an economic crisis strikes, it first and foremost hits those in a precarious situation and young people," Castex said in an interview with Journal du dimanche.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the "exceptional aid" scheme as a measure to counter poverty during his speech to the nation on Wednesday.
The scheme tops up the monthly aid extended to those in France on the RSA low-income aid scheme, by €150 extra per month, plus €100 per child.
But but the president's announcement it became clear that the scheme would not include those aged between 18 and 25, unless they were parents.
The Fondation Abbé-Pierre, which fights poverty in France, criticised the government for leaving its young population behind.
"The government needs to refocus its target," General Director Christophe Robert told France Info during the interview last week.
Now, young people who benefit from the scheme known as aides personnalisées au logement (personalised housing help) will be included in the scheme along with students on a scholarship.
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