Home help: who is the employer under each arrangement?

Before arranging home help, distinguish direct employment, an organisation acting as mandataire and a service provider called prestataire. These choices give the person receiving help different roles in the employment relationship.

In direct employment, the individual recruits the worker themselves and becomes a private employer. They must complete hiring formalities and meet the obligations attached to that status.

With a mandataire, the individual remains the employer. The organisation may handle recruitment and administration, but the individual retains responsibility for supervising the work and paying wages.

With a prestataire, the organisation employs its own workers and invoices the individual for services. It handles its employees’ formalities, including contracts, wages and absences.

APA or the disability compensation benefit PCH may, subject to conditions, contribute to home-help costs. Arrangements differ by benefit and model; ask what is covered in your situation.

Before deciding, ask who will employ the worker, who handles an absence and which documents or steps are your responsibility. A local information point for older people or the MDPH can help direct you according to the situation.