The vote for the deconjugalization of the AAH blocked. On June 17, the government forced the National Assembly to vote a revision of the calculation of the disabled adult allowance (AAH) for couples. The executive has dismissed its “individualization” yet largely supported in the hemicycle and by the associative world.

The spouse’s income will therefore continue to be taken into account for the calculation of the AAH, depending on the version adopted.

Read also: Disability: should you choose between married life and allowance?

A “blocked” vote

Faced with a strong dispute, including in the majority, the government asked for a postponement of the vote, then used the blocked vote, leaving the deputies no choice but to vote without editing the version approved by the executive.

This means that the government has asked for a single vote on the text, retaining only the amendments it has accepted or proposed.

The text must now go back to the Senate or more likely be included in the next Social Security budget for application on January 1, 2022.

A big disappointment

On social networks, people with disabilities were outraged by the government’s decision. For her, the deconjugalization of the calculation of the AAH would allow the disabled to access more autonomy.

No matter what the salary of the person you live with, if you are a disabled person, you MUST be paid the AAH. It is for us, for our autonomy, not for our spouse # AAH17June #deconjugalizationAAH .

– Autonomy objective (@OAutonomie) June 17, 2021

“The method is scandalous”, reacted to AFP lawyer and activist Elisa Rojas, denouncing “the brutality and contempt of Sophie Cluzel and her government towards the people concerned, on a subject essential for their autonomy and survival “.

#AAH #deconjugalizationAAH

Sophie Cluzel showed what she and LREM are and always have been.

She expressed during this debate their contempt, their violence, their mediocrity.

– Elisa ROJAS (@elisarojasm) June 17, 2021

Having to depend financially on someone when you are unable to work, is that your social justice?
Becoming a burden to his or her companion, is it your social justice? https://t.co/J76gfa3UeP

– Romain Dilleux ♿ ???? (@RomainDilleux) June 17, 2021

“A wallet instead of the heart”

The Secretary of State for Persons with Disabilities, Sophie Cluzel, for her part denounced “a miserable vision of disability”, François Ruffin (LFI) accusing in return the government of having “a wallet in place of the heart”.

The fact that some people have to choose between living as a couple at the risk of seeing their compensation decrease, or keeping it but renouncing their relationship legally, has been at the center of the controversy.

Which calculation adopted?

The government rejected the proposal, opting instead for a flat-rate allowance of 5,000 euros on the spouse’s income. A formula deemed “more redistributive” which, according to Ms. Cluzel, would allow 120,000 beneficiary couples to receive on average 110 euros net per month in addition.

Created in 1975, the AAH is intended to compensate for the inability to work. For 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, of which 270,000 are couples, for an annual expenditure of around 11 billion euros.