Every year, in mid-December, the Christmas bonus gives a boost to the most modest households.
Every year, in December, since 1998, a so-called Christmas bonus has been granted to people with the lowest incomes: job seekers and beneficiaries of minimum social benefits.
As a reminder, there are two Christmas bonuses: that paid by the CAF (family allowance fund) or the MSA (agricultural social mutuality) to RSA recipients. Then, that allocated by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) called the exceptional Christmas bonus.
How do you know if you are eligible for the Christmas bonus?
Everything is done automatically. Beneficiaries or future beneficiaries do not have to take any action with the paying agencies. The latter will automatically identify them and calculate the amount of the premium that will be paid to them. The amount awarded is paid directly into the bank account of the person concerned.
Who can benefit from it?
People who can benefit from the Christmas bonus are people who, in November or December 2024, benefited from:
- Active Social Solidarity Income (RSA)
- of the base RSA and the activity bonus if the household resources do not exceed the amount of the base RSA depending on the composition of the family
- of the Specific Solidarity Allowance (ASS), at an increased rate or not
- ACCRE (Aid for business creation) only if you were at ASS before
- of the transitional solidarity bonus (PTS, which replaces the transitional solidarity allowance since 2015)
- the Retirement Equivalent Allowance (AER), or the fixed bonus for resumption of activity
- Please note: if you are a beneficiary of the fixed bonus for returning to work in November or December 2024, you will be eligible for the Christmas bonus. On the other hand, if you were a beneficiary of this bonus, but you are no longer so in November or December 2024, you will not be able to benefit from this aid
How much is the Christmas bonus paid by CAF?
The amount of the Christmas bonus takes into account your family situation (single, partnered, etc.) and the number of dependent children.
Thus, in accordance with the scale set by the Caf, you can receive between approximately €150 and €500:
- A couple without children: €228.68
- A couple with a child: €274.41
- A couple with two children: €320.15
- A couple with three children: €381.13
- A couple with four children: €442.11
Beyond four children, €60.98 is allocated per additional child. An additional boost is provided to single-parent families, with an increase of 35%, decided by the Ministry of Solidarity and Family.
- A single person without children: €152.45
- A single person with a child: €205.81
- A single person with two children: €232.49
- A single person with three children: €248,490
- A single person with four children: €269.84
Beyond four children, €80.32 per additional child is paid.
How much is the Christmas bonus paid by France Travail?
- A couple without children: €152.45
- A couple with a child: €152.45
- A couple with two children: €152.45
- A couple with three children: €152.45
- A couple with four children: €152.45
- A single person without children: €152.45
- A single person with a child: €205.81
- A single person with two children: €232.49
- A single person with three children: €248,490
- A single person with four children: €269.84
An additional €21.34 is allocated from the fifth child.
When will the 2024 Christmas bonus be paid?
Annually, the Christmas bonus is always paid at the same time. The date of payment of the Christmas bonus is scheduled for December 15, 2024. However, “this date is given for information only because, to date, no official decree has been published definitively setting the payment date” , specifies the family allowances website.
Please note, the date of receipt in your bank account may vary by a few days. Depending on your bank, there may be a delay due to the bank transaction.
