Just before Christmas, recipients of certain social benefits such as the RSA will automatically receive the Christmas bonus. Despite the inflationary context, no increase has been announced. Who is affected and what is the payment date? Answers.
[Mise à jour du 28 novembre à 17h31] As every year, the Christmas bonus will be paid in mid-December to recipients of certain social minima. 2.3 million French people, considered the most precarious, are affected by this benefit automatically paid by CAF or Pôle emploi. Unlike many aids revised upwards within the framework of the purchasing power law, voted last August, the Christmas bonus is not currently affected by a possible indexation on inflation.. But with a record rate of 6.2% last October, the government will certainly not be able to evade questions about its upgrade during the presentation of the premium in early December. Nevertheless, it remains fixed for the moment at the same amount as that of last year, and certain people in precarious situations are excluded. Here are the conditions of allocation, the date of payment and what sum will be allocated according to family and professional situations.
Are the Christmas bonus and the activity bonus cumulative?
A single scenario allows the two bonuses to be combined. If in November or December 2022 you receive the activity bonus, you must imperatively respect this condition: receive the base RSA (regardless of the amount) + the activity bonus without ever exceeding the amount of the basic RSA which corresponds to the composition of your family
Who benefits from the 2022 Christmas bonus?
The Christmas bonus is intended for households counted as the most precarious, those who already receive certain social minima such as the RSA (Active Solidarity Income), the ASS (Specific Solidarity Allowance) or the AER (Equivalent Allowance retirement). Depending on each person’s situation, it is paid either by the Caisse d’Allocation Familiale (CAF), the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA), or by Pôle Emploi. Hence, it is impossible to combine the CAF Christmas bonus and that of Pôle Emploi. Here is the detail :
Who receives the Christmas bonus from CAF?
The Christmas bonus is paid by CAF to RSA beneficiaries the amount of which varies according to the composition of the family and the number of children. To benefit from the Christmas bonus, your right to one of these allowances must be in progress for the month of November or December 2022. If you are a new beneficiary, the Christmas bonus will then be paid to you in January 2023 . ASS beneficiaries also receive the Christmas bonus from CAF. For them, the amount of the premium is fixed, regardless of the number of members in your household. The amount of the Christmas bonus for these eligible people is also 152.45 euros.
Who receives the Christmas bonus from Pôle Emploi?
If your right to one of the allowances below is in progress for the month of November or December 2022, you will be able to receive the Christmas bonus which will be automatically paid to you by Pôle Emploi. Beneficiaries of social minima eligible for it are those who are entitled to:
- The specific solidarity allowance (ASS)
- The specific training solidarity allowance (ASS-F)
- Pension equivalent allowance (EAR)
- Public internship compensation (RPS)
- Remuneration for Pôle Emploi training (RFPE)
- Assistance in setting up and taking over a business (ACRE-ASS)
► The amount paid by Pôle Emploi remains fixed in 2022: 152.45 euros for mainland France and the overseas departments and 76.22 euros in Mayotte.
To whom does the MSA pay the Christmas bonus?
The MSA pays the Christmas bonus to people who receive the RSAin November or December 2022. The amount of aid depends on the number of members in the household.
Are pensioners entitled to the Christmas bonus?
Retirees, even in a precarious situation, are not eligible for the Christmas bonus. Exception made only for those who still receive the equivalent pension allowance (AER), who are entitled to the Christmas bonus. Beneficiaries of the allowance for disabled adults are also not entitled to the Christmas bonus.
Up to what age can you receive the Christmas bonus?
There is no fixed age limit to start receiving the Christmas bonus, nor to stop receiving it. On the other hand, it is not compatible with the minimum old age, which means that retirees are excluded. People close to retirement, receiving the AER or the PTS (transitional solidarity bonus), can receive the Christmas bonus while waiting for the legal retirement age. Once this age has been reached and your situation has been readjusted (then switched to a retirement pension), you will no longer be able to claim the Christmas bonus.
When will the 2022 Christmas bonus be paid?
This year, like last year, the payment of the Christmas bonus begins on December 15, 2022. Note that in a specific case, the payment of the aid will be delayed. If in December 2022, you receive the RSA for the first time, you will only receive the Christmas bonus in January 2023. It should also be noted that payment times can take several days depending on your bank but also depending on the treatment of the CAF, Pôle Emploi or the MSA which grants the aid. Some people should expect to see it in their bank account between December 18 and 20.
What is the amount of the Christmas bonus in 2022?
The amount of the Christmas bonus has remained unchanged in recent years. However, not all recipients will receive the same amount. An unemployed beneficiary, in particular at the end of his rights, will be entitled to the fixed amount of €152.45, paid by Pôle emploi. On the other hand, if you are eligible for the Christmas bonus paid by CAF, you can, depending on the composition of your family – and subject to receiving the RSA beforehand -, receive up to 442.10 euros.
| Family status (RSA) | If you live alone | If you live as a couple |
|---|---|---|
| Childless | €152.45 | €228.67 |
| 1 child | €228.67 | €274.41 |
| 2 children | €274.41 | €320.14 |
| 3 children | €335.39 | €381.12 |
| 4 children | €396.37 | €442.10 |
| Per additional child | €60.98 | €60.98 |
In Mayotte, the amount of the Christmas bonus is significantly lower. In this overseas department, the aid is set at 76.22 euros. For RSA beneficiaries in a 2-person household, the amount is 114.34 euros; for 3 people at 137.20 euros and for 4 people at 160.06 euros.
Is there an increase in the Christmas bonus in 2022?
If the RSA has benefited from a revaluation of 4%, in view of the purchasing power law voted last August, the Christmas bonus will not be indexed to inflation.. Indeed, according to information on the site thank you for the information, the office of Minister of Solidarity Jean-Christophe Combe has confirmed that the aid, paid to more than 2 million French people, will not be revalued, despite a record inflation rate last October. With the approach of the end of year celebrations, the most precarious French people will thus receive a Christmas bonus based on the initial amount of 152.45 euros, then adapted to the family composition of the household.
Who pays the Christmas bonus?
Different organizations pay the Christmas bonus. Depending on your professional and family situation, it will be distributed by Pôle Emploi, the CAF or the Caisse centrale de la MSA.
To find out if you are eligible for the Christmas bonus, simply make a simulation on the site mes-aides.gouv.fr ! After answering the questions, you will know your rights and the aid you can claim.
What are the steps to benefit from the Christmas bonus?
To request or obtain the Christmas bonus, it’s simple, no steps are required. If you are eligible and you receive the RSA, the Christmas bonus is automatically paid by the CAF or the MSA depending on your situation. Do you receive the ASS, the AER or the flat-rate premium for resumption of activity? It will then be Pôle Emploi who will take care of the payment, usually within 15 days before Christmas. In all cases, the payment of the Christmas bonus is made automatically to the bank accounts of the persons concerned. A word of advice: if you are a beneficiary of the Rsa in November or December 2022, make sure that the information communicated to your CAF is up to date to avoid any error or delay in payment.
Is the Christmas bonus taxable?
When filing your income tax return, you don’t need to mention the Christmas bonus. Indeed, the Christmas bonus is not taken into account in the calculation of the tax, being indeed considered as a non-taxable income.