be careful, 2 unpleasant surprises from CAF await beneficiaries in December

Every year, the Christmas bonus allows millions of low-income families to take a breather as the end-of-year holidays approach. This boost, paid by the CAFthe Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA) or even France Workbenefits recipients of minimum social benefits such as RSAthe ASS or the AER.

In 2024, payments will begin on Tuesday December 17, but this long-awaited aid (which does not require any special action) is accompanied by two bad newsreports Money Vox. While inflation weighs on households, the amount of this bonus remains unchanged, as since its creation in 1998. In addition, an additional premium, introduced last year to support single-parent families, will not be renewed this year. We'll explain it to you.

Is the Christmas bonus increased in 2024?

Despite the hopes of beneficiaries, who are bearing the brunt of inflation, the Christmas bonus has not been increased in 2024 to compensate for rising prices (and this has never been the case since its creation in 1998). Thus, like every year, a single person will receive €152.45, while a couple with two children will receive €320.15. For larger households, a single parent with five children will receive €457.35, and a couple with four children will benefit from €442.11.

For comparison, if this bonus had been adjusted according to inflation since 1998, a single person would have received €229, or €76.55 more. A couple with four children would have seen their aid increase to €664.11, marking a difference of €222 with the current amount. This stagnation of the amount is questioned by many beneficiaries, in an economic context where the cost of living continues to increase. Many households will have to deal with tight budgets for gifts and festive meals..

Towards the end of this special increase?

Another disappointment: the elimination of the increase granted in 2023 to single-parent families. Last year, this exceptional measure allowed 744,000 households to benefit from a 35% bonus. For example, a single person with four children received €535.10, compared to €442.11 for a couple in the same situation. This valuable aid will not be renewed this year, leaving these families without this additional help.

The Ministry of Solidarity justified this decision by budgetary constraints. If certain measures, such as the expansion of the free choice of childcare supplement, aim to support families, they do not compensate for the disappearance of the additional premium.

When will the Christmas bonus be paid?

Finally, although the bonus will be officially paid on December 17, for some it will be necessary to wait a few days before seeing it appear in the bank accounts. Interbank delays can actually lengthen this process by 48 to 72 hours, a factor to take into account for families counting on this help for their Christmas shopping.

If the Christmas bonus remains valuable assistance for more than two million beneficiaries, the fixed amounts and the absence of specific measures for single-parent families reinforce a feeling of frustration among some of the beneficiaries. In a context where end-of-year expenses weigh heavily on low-income households, this double disappointment could well complicate the holidays for many recipients.

Head of section

Rights of women and children, violence, feminism, gender, discrimination, parenthood, education, psychology, health, couple, sexuality, social networks…. Joséphine loves deciphering all the social issues that drive our world…