How Do I Write a Banque de France Debt Relief Cover Letter? (Template)

Quick answer summary

To write a Banque de France debt relief cover letter, keep it short (1–2 pages), factual, and well-organized: explain why you became over-indebted, what changed, your current income/expenses, the debts causing the crisis, any urgent risks (eviction, energy cut-off), and what you’re asking the commission to do. Sign and date it, make sure it matches your forms and evidence, and send it with your full dossier (online or by mail). Banque de France+2Service Public+2

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What this letter is (and why it matters)

In the Banque de France over-indebtedness process, you’re asked to attach a letter explaining your situation with your application. Banque de France That letter is not “extra”—it’s your financial narrative:

• It helps reviewers connect the dots between your documents (bank statements, payslips, rent, arrears).

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  It shows good faith and cooperation—two things that matter a lot in how your file is perceived.

• It highlights what’s urgent (e.g., eviction risk) so it doesn’t get buried in paperwork.

And here’s my honest opinion: most people lose points by writing either (a) a dramatic life story with no numbers, or (b) a cold list of numbers with no explanation. Your goal is the middle: human, specific, and verifiable.

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A quick reminder: what “debt relief” means here

In France, the over-indebtedness procedure is designed for people who can no longer clearly meet non-professional debts (loans, rent arrears, bills, etc.) despite acting in good faith. It’s a public, structured process, and it’s free to file. Ministère de l’Économie+1

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Before you write: gather your “proof pile”

Your letter becomes powerful when every claim can be backed up by a document. Typical supporting documents include identity, income proof, housing costs, family situation elements, and debt proofs. (Your exact list depends on your case.) Banque de France+1

Pro tip: Put your key documents in the same order as the story you tell (timeline). Reviewers love when your letter “maps” to the attachments.

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What a strong Banque de France cover letter should include

Aim for 6 mini-sections (with short paragraphs or bullet points). This structure works extremely well:

1) Why you’re writing (your request)

State that you are filing a dossier de surendettement and asking the commission to examine your situation.

2) Your household snapshot (who, where, work)

• Who is in your household (you, spouse/partner, children)

• Your housing situation (tenant/owner, rent/mortgage amount)

• Employment status

3) The turning point (what caused the crisis)

Examples:

• Job loss or reduced hours

• Divorce/separation and double housing costs

• Health issue and income drop

• Cost-of-living increase + existing credit burden

4) Your current budget reality (simple numbers)

• Total monthly net income

• Essential monthly expenses (rent, utilities, transport, food, insurance)

• What remains (often “nothing,” and that’s okay—say it clearly)

5) Your debts (the ones breaking you)

Group them:

6) Urgency + steps you already tried

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  Are you facing eviction, service cut-off, wage garnishment, banking incidents?

• Did you already contact creditors to request a payment plan?

• If yes, say so briefly and attach proof (emails/letters).

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What to avoid (this saves people from refusals and delays)

• Don’t inflate or hide anything. Inconsistencies between letter, forms, and bank statements are a common reason files get slowed down.

• Don’t blame everyone. You can explain unfair fees, abusive lending, or life events—just do it calmly and factually.

• Don’t forget dates. A simple timeline (month/year) makes your story believable.

• Don’t omit “new debts” risks. If you’re using BNPL or new credit to survive, say it plainly—this is exactly what the process is meant to stop.

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Real-life examples of cover-letter “angles” that work

Example A: Job loss + catch-up spiral

“I lost my job in March 2025. I used savings for two months, then relied on revolving credit to pay rent and utilities. I’m now back in work, but the accumulated monthly repayments exceed my capacity.”

Example B: Separation + duplicated fixed costs

“After separation, I kept the family apartment to avoid disrupting the children’s schooling. With one income instead of two, the combined rent + existing loans became unmanageable within 4 months.”

Example C: Health event + administrative delay

“Sick leave reduced my income. While waiting for reimbursements/benefits, arrears built up (rent, electricity). I have proof of medical leave and benefit applications.”

These work because they’re specific, dated, and document-backed.

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Copy-paste template (French): Banque de France “lettre d’accompagnement” surendettement

Use this as-is, replacing bracketed items. Keep it to 1–2 pages.

[Nom, Prénom]
[Adresse complète]
[Code postal, Ville]
[Téléphone] – [Email]

Banque de France – Secrétariat de la commission de surendettement
[Adresse de la succursale / ou adresse d’envoi si vous déposez par courrier]

À [Ville], le [Date]

Objet : Dépôt d’un dossier de surendettement – lettre d’accompagnement

Madame, Monsieur,

Je soussigné(e) [Nom, Prénom], né(e) le [Date de naissance], dépose par la présente un dossier de surendettement afin de solliciter l’examen de ma situation par la commission de surendettement compétente.

1) Ma situation personnelle et familiale

Je vis [seul(e) / en couple / en famille] avec [nombre] personne(s) à charge : [préciser : enfants, situation].
Mon logement est [location / propriété] et mes charges de logement s’élèvent à [montant] € par mois ([loyer/crédit] + charges).

2) Ma situation professionnelle et mes ressources

Je suis actuellement [salarié(e) CDI/CDD / intérim / indépendant(e) / demandeur(se) d’emploi / arrêt maladie].
Mes ressources mensuelles nettes sont d’environ [montant] €, composées de :

3) Origine de mes difficultés financières (chronologie)

Mes difficultés ont commencé [mois/année] suite à [événement déclencheur : perte d’emploi, séparation, maladie, baisse d’activité, etc.].
Depuis [mois/année], malgré mes démarches, je ne parviens plus à faire face à l’ensemble de mes dettes et charges courantes. J’ai notamment [expliquer en 4–6 lignes : ce qui a changé et pourquoi la situation est durable].

4) Budget actuel et impossibilité de remboursement

Mes dépenses essentielles mensuelles (logement, énergie, alimentation, transport, assurances) s’élèvent à environ [montant] €.
Après paiement des charges indispensables, il me reste [montant] € (souvent insuffisant) pour honorer mes dettes, ce qui rend la situation insoutenable.

5) Dettes principales

Mes dettes concernent principalement :

• Crédits (personnels / renouvelables / auto, etc.) : [montant total] €

• Arriérés de logement : [montant] €

• Factures impayées (énergie / télécom / autres) : [montant] €

• Autres dettes non professionnelles : [montant] €

6) Démarches déjà entreprises et urgence éventuelle

J’ai tenté de trouver des solutions amiables en [contactant mes créanciers / demandant des échéanciers] dès [mois/année]. Malgré cela, je fais face à [préciser si applicable : menace d’expulsion, coupure d’énergie, saisie, incidents bancaires].
Je joins les justificatifs correspondants à mon dossier.

En conséquence, je vous remercie de bien vouloir enregistrer et examiner ma demande. Je reste à votre disposition pour tout complément d’information et pour transmettre tout document utile.

Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.

[Signature]
[Nom, Prénom]

Pièces jointes : Dossier de surendettement complété + justificatifs (selon la liste fournie) Banque de France+1

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Where to send it (and a key detail people forget)

If you file by mail, follow the official instructions and addresses given for the over-indebtedness process. For example, Service-Public lists a Banque de France surendettement postal address and notes that if you’re writing about an existing file, you must include the 12-digit reference number assigned by Banque de France. Service Public

Also, Banque de France strongly promotes filing online for speed (immediate transfer once validated and signed). Banque de France+1

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Checklist: “Is my cover letter strong enough?”

Content checklist (letter)

Document checklist (attachments)

Final “submission” checklist

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FAQ

How long should the letter be?

Usually one page, sometimes two if you have a complex timeline. If it’s longer, tighten it—clarity beats volume.

Should I attach a separate budget sheet?

If your dossier already includes the full budget fields, keep the letter simple and just summarize totals. Your letter should guide the reader, not duplicate forms.

Can I write it in English?

Write it in French if you can. If you’re not fluent, simple French is better than perfect English. You can also ask a social worker or association to help you review it.

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Video section (helpful step-by-step)

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Helpful stats (for context, not to scare you)

Over-indebtedness filings increased in 2024, with 134,803 dossiers submitted to departmental commissions in metropolitan France (Banque de France typological survey). Banque de France In the same 2024 survey, Banque de France also reports 245 dossiers per 100,000 inhabitants (15+ years old) in metropolitan France, with strong regional variation. Banque de France

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Sources

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disclaimer

This guide provides general educational information about writing a cover letter for a Banque de France over-indebtedness file. It is not legal advice; if your situation is urgent (eviction, enforcement action), consider getting help from a local social worker, a consumer association, or a qualified legal professional.