Argh French social security nightmare!

[frakkinnakkered]

Just need to rant really, although if anyone has any words of wisdom (or influence) that might help.

So when I started working in France my employer did all the paperwork and I toddled off the Caisse with my salary slips etc and we thought I was registered. I even got a temporary attestation though. But no permanent number and no carte vitale. So I though 'oh, bureaucracy, takes forever, I'm a healthy person and I have my EHIC anyway'

Then about a year later I realised I still didn't have it and we were about to move, so I went and prodded them gently about it. Whereupon they couldn't find me (despite me paying my contributions) under a permanent number and the temporary one had expired.

Then we moved and my new employers found my permanent number (bless them) so I went down to the caisse, in January, to do the chagement d'addresse details. And I waited again. For 9 more months, thinking it took time to transfer a dossier, time to send me a carte vitale etc.

But nothing.

So I went back and they never processed the changement d'addresse so I'm still in Paris! And then a trip to the hospital later we discover that even though I have a number there are no benefits on the account because they haven't had a salary slip apparently! Now this might be because I changed employment, so I tried to show the caisse here my salary slips, but apparently they can't deal with it because my dossier is still in Paris. So I called Paris who say they can't deal with it because I'm living in La Reunion and they're nothing to do with me anymore despite the fact my file still says I live in Paris. So now I apparently have no enitlements at all...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.

WTF does one do in this situation? I assume my current job are paying my cotisations so I'm clearly working and can't claim anything else!

I know it is a bit early, but social security in a foreign land warrants it.

No idea. I had a nightmare earlier this year when I was suddenly compulsory insured by the Swiss, despite being insured through DH's company. It took ages and dozens of emails to sort it out.

Can you write or email both offices at the same time, laying it out, attaching copies of any documentation that you have?

I am drafting a letter now, but both deny all knowledge

And DH calmly informs me our mutuelle won't pay out if I'm not covered by social security!

We have no idea where they're getting the bullshit about salary slips from. I've worked all the time I've actually been in France from Sept 2008. They saw my first 3 and presumably my employers have been paying them cash which they've been happy to accept.

Oh god, no idea what you can do...but you have reminded me I really should do something with the teetering pile of feuille de soins that appear to have been breeding in recent months - if I ever get all the dosh back it would probably pay for a trip to La Reunion...and then I could bring your dossier with me from Paris.

Hi,
I wouldn't give up. Sometimes it takes a lot of stroppiness to get anywhere with the French bureaucracy. Keep contacting them, demand to speak to a supervisor or manager, and eventually you should make some progress. If you get through to somebody helpful, get their name and contact number and try to deal with them directly.

I'd start with the Paris office, I think, and insist that they dealt with me.

Also, being polite doesn't always get you respect, so be direct and prepared to kick up a huge fuss if necessary! Though perhaps you already have...

Also, could you contact your former employer and ask for more documented evidence that there were contributions made in your name?

Good luck!

Hope that helps.

Agree with the comments about pestering. I know that no-one ever wants to give you their name in case they can be blamed for anything. If you have a name and contact details I wonder if it is worth going to your local caisse - about an hour before lunchtime and, armed with the Paris contact details, refusing to budge until it's sorted. It seems to work at the local impots - about 11.30 about 6 new offices open so they can clear the queue by five to twelve.

An other idea, have you tried posting on www.totalfrance.com there is someone on there called 'pomhorn' who is very knowledgeable and helpful who might be able to come up with some ideas.

If you do send docs off, make sure you keep copies as they might always lose the originals.

frakkinnakkered - Today I have invented a new and much needed word...

FOFWODT

it means f* off French way of doing things. I specifically designed the word to be used at moments such as this. Feel free to use it anytime you fancy.
e.g "This is complete fofwodt." or on a bad day "FOF(pause)WODT" (chuck something across the room and roar)!!!

But seriously - Good luck, my lovelies... it sounds like you have a long and difficult road ahead of you on this one.

I was working and being taxed but had a sort of 'permission to work and must be taxed but not allowed to have social socurity' social sercurity number that had quite a few xs in. So, like you,I had no social sercurity even though I was paying the same tax as everyone-else.

It all got sorted when we got poisoned by our boiler and somewhere in my poisoned daze I met a dr who knew someone socially who would get me a proper number and cover... and s/he magically solved it all - I wish I had kept his name because I am constantly bumping into Brits with no social security cover but at the time I was having trouble knowing my own name so little wonder I never thought to try and remember his...

I love your new word teafortwo. Will be using it all the time.

Frfakkinnakkered - the only other thing I can add to the advice above is to ask your hnew employer to help you work your way through the system. They might have someone in HR who knows how to find a way round the problem.

Good luck!

scareistheball - Hey you! How ya doin'??? Talking about fofwodt how's ickly getting on at school now? Has it all settled down a bit? I do hope so. x

Frak - Was the contact I suddenly thought of and sent you a few days ago useful at all? [hopeful]

Hi teafortwo! Yes, much better now thanks. DD enjoying herself, and order has been instilled. Would you like to get together for tea (for four!) one day?

Sorry for hijack F! Any progress?

Good plan - I will e-mail you.

No wories [hgrin]

Contact not been contacted yet as don't want to bug someone when the system might be doing something. I have a file here now....now Paris needs to make sure the info is sent and that's just waiting for administrative bods to do their job (when they're not striking).

If they mess it up again I will most definitely make use of it though! I have a British fear of bothering people when they may not be able to help which is probably why it's taking me forever to get anything done...