“Benefit” refers to cash benefits provided under the social security laws of either country, as well as benefits-in-kind (rehabilitation measures and health care provided under French laws).  The term “benefit” also includes the lump-sum death payment under section 202(i) of the Act, but excludes special age-72 payments provided for certain uninsured persons under section 228 of the Act.  The term has been limited to benefits of a contributory nature and, therefore, excludes certain means-tested benefits under French laws that are financed from general tax revenues rather than social security contributions.  Similar U.S. means-tested benefits, such as those provided under the Supplemental Security Income Program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled are also outside the scope of the Agreement.  It is not intended that the term “benefits” exclude payments under essentially contributory programs that may be based in whole or in part on periods of social security coverage for which no contributions were required.