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Winter is coming, and with it, the increase in expenses linked to the end-of-year holidays. Fortunately, several aids come to relieve the homes during this period. Energy check, Christmas bonus, 13th month… These aids are a real boost, but how can you take full advantage of them? What are the steps to follow?
The energy check, this help to reduce your bills
The energy check is one of the best-known forms of assistance, and for good reason: it concerns millions of households in difficulty with their energy expenses. In 2024, 5.6 million households will be able to benefit from it. This assistance makes it possible to pay energy bills, whether for heating or energy renovation work.
Are you wondering if you are entitled to it? The main criterion concerns your reference tax income.
Let's take this examples of West-France on a single person with an income of less than 11,000 euros or a couple without children with less than 16,500 euros of income. For them, the amount varies between 48 euros and 277 euros, depending on resources and the composition of the household.
To have
These exceptional aids that seniors forget to claim for travel
Normally, if you are already a beneficiary, you will receive your check automatically. But for a first request, you have until December 31, 2024.
And the good news? The energy check can be combined with other aid, such as the Christmas bonus. However, be careful of scams! The government will never ask you for your bank details for these procedures.
The Christmas bonus, this boost on the eve of the holidays
Then there is the Christmas bonus, one of the most anticipated aids at this time of year. In 2024, 2.2 million households will receive this aid, paid on December 17. It mainly concerns beneficiaries of social minimums : RSA, ASS, AER, or even the fixed bonus for resumption of activity.
The amount varies depending on the composition of your household. To give you an idea of the amount, let's take another example from our colleagues at West-France. According to the daily, a single person receiving RSA will receive around 152 euros, while a couple with two children will be able to receive up to 320 euros.
No specific form to fill out. If you are eligible, you will receive your bonus automatically from the CAF or the MSA, depending on your services. But be careful, this bonus cannot be combined with certain aid such as AAH or ARE (unemployment benefits). But you can combine it with the 13th month or other bonuses depending on your situation.
To have
These little-known housing aids of €500 or more that you forget to claim are not APL
The 13th month bonus for employees
The 13th month, or corporate Christmas bonusconstitutes a bonus paid to certain employees at the end of the year. Its calculation is based on your salary and can vary from one company to another depending on seniority or contract.
Sometimes it takes the form of gift vouchers. It is generally an additional month's salaryor a percentage of the annual remuneration.
If your company offers this bonus, its payment is automatic. But you must have fulfilled the presence conditions (minimum two months of work in the company). If you do not receive it, check if it is part of the benefits of your contract or collective agreement.
The 13th month is also cumulative with other aidas long as you meet the required criteria for each.
Help in the form of gift vouchers
Some companies also offer gift vouchers to their employees for the end-of-year holidays. These gift vouchers are receivable in specific stores. Their attribution? By the social and economic committee (CSE) or directly by the employer.
If your company offers gift vouchers, you will receive them automatically, unless there are specific conditions of allocation. In general, they have a limit of 193 euros for the year 2024. If you have not yet registered with the CSE, this is the opportunity to do so to benefit from it.
Source : West France
