Beneficiaries of the APA allowance in France 2002-2019, by dependency level

* GIR 5 and 6 include unknown GIR, emergency, and fixed APA allowances.

Results of the survey "Aide sociale" (Social assistance) conducted in December of each year.

The Allocation Personnalisée d'Autonomie (APA) - Personalized Autonomy Allowance in English - is intended for all dependent elderly people or those who have lost their autonomy. Its purpose is to allow them to access the assistance they need to accomplish daily acts (getting around, eating, etc.). It also allows taking care of people who need regular surveillance.

In France, the dependency level is classified into six iso-resource groups, called GIR:

- GIR 1: people at the end of life or confined to a bed or chair, whose mental functions are severely impaired, and who require the continuous and indispensable presence of caregivers.

- GIR 2: people confined to a bed or chair, whose mental functions are not totally impaired, and who require care for most activities of daily life OR people whose mental functions are impaired but who can move about and requires constant supervision.

- GIR 3: people who retained his mental autonomy, partially his locomotor autonomy, but who need daily and several times a day assistance for body care.

- GIR 4: people not able to transfer alone but who, once rose, can move around the house and who need help with washing and dressing OR people who do not have locomotor problems but who need help with body care and meals.

- GIR 5: people who only need occasional help with washing, meal preparation, and cleaning.

- GIR 6: people still autonomous for the essential acts of daily life.

People belonging to GIR 1 to 4 can benefit from the APA allowance. People belonging to GIR 5 and 6 do not benefit from it but can ask for other care supports.