The MDPH explained in English: how to apply, from the form to the decision

The MDPH and the CDAPH in a nutshell

Every French département has an MDPH. It welcomes and informs people, then assesses the situation and needs of those who apply, children and adults alike. Decisions are taken by a commission, the CDAPH (Commission des droits et de l’autonomie des personnes handicapées).

It is a very common step: in 2023, MDPHs received nearly 5 million requests from 1.8 million people (CNSA).

One application for everything

The same application is used for every right the MDPH decides. You choose them in part E of the form, and the MDPH team may also suggest others after reading your file.

• AAH, allocation aux adultes handicapés: a minimum income from age 20 (16 in some cases), up to €1,041.59 a month since April 2026. See the AAH.
• RQTH, reconnaissance de la qualité de travailleur handicapé: workplace adjustments and job support. See the RQTH.
• CMI, carte mobilité inclusion: the disability or priority card, and the parking card. See the mobility inclusion card.
• PCH, prestation de compensation du handicap: funding for human help, equipment, home or car adaptations.
• AEEH, allocation d’éducation de l’enfant handicapé: for children under 20, €153.01 a month, plus possible top-ups.
• School support: a support worker (AESH), equipment, school orientation, requested in part C. See the form, part by part.
• Referrals: to a specialised service or establishment, or to a job programme (ESAT, supported employment).

Amounts come from the 1 April 2026 increase. Each right has its own conditions: the MDPH decides case by case.

What goes in the application

According to Mon parcours handicap, the application must contain:

• the application form (CERFA 15692), filled in, dated and signed;
• the medical certificate (CERFA 15695), original, less than 12 months old, filled in by the doctor of your choice;
• a copy of your ID, front and back;
• a proof of address;
• the court decision, if you are under legal protection (guardianship).

Reports and assessments (hospital, rehabilitation, psychologist, school…) are optional, but they help the team that assesses your situation a lot. The detailed list, and the mistakes that cost weeks, are in our documents checklist. For the certificate, see how to prepare the appointment with your doctor.

Filling in the form

The form is about twenty pages long, in six parts. You only fill in what applies to you:

Part	Content	Fill it in
A	Your identity	Always
B	Your daily life, needs and wishes	Always, except an unchanged renewal
C	School or studies	Children, teenagers, students
D	Work	If your request is about work
E	The rights you ask for	Always
F	The family carer	If a relative helps you and wishes to

Two tips matter more than the others:

• Part B makes the application. It is where the team understands your daily life. Describe an ordinary day and the bad days, with concrete examples: “I have to stop every 50 metres”, “my son reminds me to eat”. Our part B guide goes into detail.
• Never forget part E. It sums up everything you ask for. The parts are explained in our guide to the CERFA 15692 form.

If your situation is urgent (rights ending soon, risk of losing your job or home), page 3 lets you ask for fast processing.

Sending the application

Send it to the MDPH of the département where you live, preferably by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt, or hand it in. Many MDPHs also offer the “MDPH en ligne” online service, where you fill in the form and attach the documents; it is not available everywhere yet. In every case, keep a full copy of what you send.

What happens next

According to Mon parcours handicap and an April 2026 factsheet from the Fédération des aveugles de France:

1. Acknowledgement of receipt. If the application is complete, the MDPH sends an acknowledgement with your file number; its date starts the processing time. If a document is missing, it writes to you with the list and a deadline.
2. Assessment. A multidisciplinary team studies your situation. It may offer an interview by phone, at the MDPH or at home. You can bring someone of your choice.
3. The personalised compensation plan. The team sends you its proposals. You have 15 days to comment: this is the time to point out something missing or wrong.
4. The commission (CDAPH). It decides. You have the right to attend, with someone, unless you chose the simplified procedure on page 4 of the form.
5. The decision letter. You receive the decision by post: what is granted or refused, and for how long. It is also sent to the bodies that pay benefits, such as the CAF, the MSA or the département.

How long it takes

The MDPH has 4 months to answer. With no answer after 4 months, the request counts as refused, which lets you challenge it (Service-Public). In practice, the average was 4.7 months in 2023, with big differences between départements (CNSA). Apply early, especially for a renewal.

Our MDPH deadlines calculator works out when to expect an answer from the day your application was received.

After the decision

• If your rights are granted, the letter says for how long. Note the end date: renewal is requested about 6 months before.
• If the decision does not suit you (refusal, too short, incapacity rate too low), you have 2 months to challenge it. Our guide to challenging an MDPH decision explains the steps and gives a sample letter in French.

Free help, including when French is not your first language

Applying to the MDPH costs nothing. The MDPH reception desk, your town’s CCAS (social services), a social worker (at the hospital, town hall, employer or CAF) and many associations can help you fill it in, free of charge. A relative can help too, and the form has a section to name them.

Everything is in French, and so are the MDPH’s letters. DossierMalin is independent from the MDPH: the questionnaire, in English, is free, and only the download of the filled-in French form is paid. It helps you prepare your answers; it does not replace that support.

Our guides for each step

• Before you start: the documents checklist, the CERFA 15692 form
• While filling in: part B, the medical certificate, fast processing
• The rights: AAH, RQTH, the mobility inclusion card
• Afterwards: challenging a decision, renewal