Ageing is often synonymous with a loss of independence. But this is a relatively long process. The gradual loss of independence has to be compensated appropriately. In response to social demand, various mechanisms have been implemented to fund or coordinate support to enable people to continue to live independently at home. Based on national data and a case study of a municipality, this paper analyses the main two home support mechanisms in France : local information and communications centres (CLIC) and the individual independence benefit (allocation personnalisée d'autonomie or APA). By examining the difference in uptake of these support mechanisms by rich and poor populations, we highlight their different roles and impact on independence. Given that loss of independence is a variable diachronic phenomenon, do the mechanisms implemented provide the best support ? More broadly, the article looks at the role of inequality of income in loss of independence and access to the APA, the mechanism of economic compensation.
