four questions on the “refocusing” of this aid wanted by the government

In search of savings while the budgets are discussed in the National Assembly, the executive plans to eliminate the exceptional end-of-year bonus for beneficiaries of minimum social benefits who do not have children.

Priority for low-income households with children? In the midst of a budgetary debate, the government is considering abolishing the “Christmas bonus” for recipients who do not have children. Officially called the exceptional end-of-year bonus, it is paid to RSA beneficiaries and unemployed people at the end of their rights, i.e. 2.2 million people each year. If nothing changes in 2025, the conditions for its allocation could change in 2026. The Christmas bonus could then only be reserved for beneficiaries who have children, according to the government’s wishes. “We must accept this idea that the generosity we have known for decades has perhaps come to an end”declared the Minister of Labor and Solidarity, Jean-Pierre Farandou, on France Inter, Tuesday November 4.

1 What is the exceptional end-of-year bonus?

Created in 1998 and continued since then, the Christmas bonus has so far been intended for more than 2.2 million low-income households. It is usually paid to all RSA recipients and to unemployed people at the end of their rights. To benefit from it, you must have received, in November or December of the year concerned, the active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (ASS) or the retirement equivalent allowance (AER). Eligible people do not need to take any action to receive the bonus, which is paid automatically by the CAF or the MSA.

Its amount is progressive depending on the composition of the family : in 2024, a couple with two children will receive around 320 euros and a single person with three children, around 335 euros. For a single person, the premium is 150 euros, its minimum amount, and 228 euros for a couple without children. It is these last two categories that the government wishes to exclude from the granting of the Christmas bonus from 2026.

2 Why does the government want to tighten its award conditions?

In search of savings, the government is considering a reduction in the budget dedicated to this exceptional aid paid at the end of the year to the most precarious. The 2026 finance bill provides for an envelope of 261.5 million euros to finance the Christmas bonus, while it amounted to 466.5 million euros for 2025, this represents a drop of almost 45% in one year.

Questioned on this subject in committee on Monday, the Minister of Labor and Solidarity, Jean-Pierre Farandou, confirmed the government’s desire to “recenter” the Christmas bonus “about families with children”and therefore exclude households without children. Tuesday on France Inter, he recognized that these decisions can “sometimes seem a little aggressive to the French”while highlighting “statement of Social Security accounts”. “If we don’t have the courage to tackle our balance head-on, things will get out of control. We will reach a point where we will no longer be able to pay pensions, pay reimbursements”assured the minister.

3 What are the reactions?

Since these declarations, some of the oppositions as well as associations have been up in arms. “Single people, isolated people, people who no longer have a dependent child, for example, will not be able to go see their loved ones, will not be able to give gifts, will not be able to invite home, will be deprived of 150 euros”denounced MP Hadrien Clouet on Tuesday during the LFI group’s weekly press conference at the National Assembly. “It’s despicable”Manuel Bompard, MP and coordinator of La France insoumise, also protested on Tuesday on franceinfo. RN deputy Laurent Jacobelli also denounced this decision: “The problem in this country is not ‘Christmas bonus or no Christmas bonus’. Let’s make the right savings first before imagining how to try to reduce the purchasing power of the French.”

“That means that these people will no longer be able to lend a hand to their nephew or niece. Even if they don’t have children, they still have a family.”

Manuel Bompard, LFI deputy

on franceinfo

On the associative side, Secours populaire was also alarmed. “Often, it supplements a bank overdraft, it helps pay an energy bill which is increasingly important today, underlined Nicolas Champion, national secretary in charge of Solidarity within the association, Tuesday on France Inter. So it’s often a measure that keeps your head above water. And it’s not necessarily for an extra gift.” Moreover, “we must not limit the vision of precariousness to homes where there are children, he insisted. Among the people we welcome, we have 44% of people who are alone, isolated elderly people, students for example.”

4 And what about the bonus paid in 2025?

This elimination of the Christmas bonus for households without children has not yet been voted on. And Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou said he was open to discussion on the subject. “Me, I have no problem to question” this decision, but “What I will ask each time is what is the economy or the revenue that goes with it, because I am the guarantor of the Social Security accounts”he declared.

For 2025, all RSA, ASS or AER beneficiaries will receive the exceptional end-of-year bonus, like in previous years, around mid-December. To do this, you must be a beneficiary in November or December. For those who become eligible for one of this aid in December, they will receive the bonus next January. The CAF indicates on his website What “the payment date and amounts of the 2025 Christmas bonus are not yet available” and reminds that“no action is required, the bonus will be paid automatically to the beneficiaries”.