MDPH application: documents to prepare before submitting

You need to submit an MDPH application — whether it's a first-time request or a renewal — and you're not sure where to start. That's completely normal. The form is long, the list of required documents isn't always clear, and it's easy to worry about forgetting something essential.

Here is a practical guide to preparing your application more calmly, knowing exactly what you need to provide.

The 4 mandatory documents

Regardless of the type of request (first application, renewal, or modification), the MDPH will always require these four documents.

1. Form Cerfa n° 15692*01

This is the single application form for the MDPH. It replaces all previous forms (including the old Cerfa 13788). It is used for first-time applications, renewals, and modifications of entitlements.

The form is quite long — around twenty pages — but not all sections will necessarily apply to you. The important thing is to carefully complete the parts that describe your daily situation: difficulties you face, support needs, and the impact on your everyday life. This is the basis on which the MDPH's multidisciplinary team assesses your application.

2. Medical certificate Cerfa n° 15695*01

This certificate must be completed by your general practitioner or a specialist doctor. It must be less than 12 months old at the time the application is submitted — beyond that, it will not be accepted.

The certificate includes specific sections for certain types of disability (hearing, visual, etc.). Discuss this with your doctor so they complete the relevant sections. The more precise the certificate, the better the assessment team will understand your situation.

3. Proof of identity

ID card or passport, front and back, currently valid. For an application concerning a child, the legal representative's ID must also be provided.

4. Proof of address

Electricity, gas, or water bill, rent receipt, tax notice — a document less than 3 months old. For a child, it's the legal representative's proof of address that's required. If you are housed by a third party, you'll need to provide their proof of address along with a sworn statement (attestation sur l'honneur) from them.

Additional documents depending on the benefit

Depending on what you're requesting from the MDPH, additional documents may be needed.

• Medical or specialist reports — reports from specialists, occupational therapy assessments, neuropsychological evaluations, etc. Anything that documents your situation in detail is useful.
• Payslips — if you're applying for the Allocation aux Adultes Handicapés (AAH, Disability Allowance for Adults), the MDPH may request your recent income.
• Expense records — for a Prestation de Compensation du Handicap (PCH, Disability Compensation Benefit) application, you may need to document disability-related expenses (home adaptations, assistive devices, transport, etc.).
• School reports or personalised education plan — for children, as part of an Allocation d'Éducation de l'Enfant Handicapé (AEEH, Education Allowance for Children with Disabilities) application or school accommodation request.

If in doubt about which additional documents are needed, you can contact your departmental MDPH — each MDPH may have slightly different requirements.

Renewal: key points

A renewal follows broadly the same process as a first application. You need to provide the same mandatory documents — including a new medical certificate less than 12 months old.

A few important points:

• Plan ahead. It's recommended to start your renewal at least 6 months before your entitlements expire. Processing times can be long, and a late submission risks creating a gap in your benefits.
• Processing time. Renewals without major changes are often processed more quickly — expect 2 to 3 months on average, compared with 4 to 6 months for first applications.
• Incomplete file. If your application is incomplete, the MDPH will send you a letter within 15 days of receiving it, listing the missing documents. You then have 30 days to complete your application. After that deadline, the file may be closed without action.

Timelines to be aware of

The MDPH has a legal deadline of 4 months to respond from receipt of your complete application. If you receive no response after this period, the request is considered rejected (this is called an implied rejection).

In practice, timelines vary by department:

• 4 to 6 months on average for a standard request
• Up to 8 months for more complex cases (PCH in particular)

These timelines explain why it's so important to submit a complete application from the start — every back-and-forth over a missing document pushes back the entire schedule.

Practical tips for a strong application

• Be precise in the form. Describe your daily difficulties concretely, without downplaying them. The assessment team relies mainly on what you describe — if the form is too vague, your application may be undervalued.
• Get the medical certificate filled in early. Since it expires after 12 months, don't prepare it too far in advance either. Aim for 1 to 2 months before submitting.
• Keep a copy of everything. Every document sent — form, medical certificate, supporting documents — should be photocopied or scanned before sending. In case of postal loss or dispute, you'll have a record.
• Track your application online. Many MDPHs offer an online tracking portal (often via mdphenligne.cnsa.fr). This lets you verify that your application was received and track its progress.
• Include a cover letter. A simple letter summarising your request and listing the enclosed documents helps the officer receiving your file find their way around it more quickly.

Getting support

Preparing an MDPH application can be draining. The form is long, there's a lot of information to gather, and when you're already in a difficult situation, it's often the last thing you have the energy to deal with.

I'm not a doctor or a lawyer, and I can't advise on your entitlements. But as an administrative assistant, I can help you organise your documents, check that the application is complete, and support you step by step through the preparation — so you can send it with greater peace of mind.

Need help organising your application? Book a free initial consultation — we'll prepare it together.