What is the Christmas bonus?
The Christmas bonus or “exceptional end-of-year assistance” is financial assistance granted to people who benefit from social minimums. Depending on the situation of the beneficiary, it is paid by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), the CAF or the MSA. It is intended for low-income households to help them meet end-of-year expenses. This bonus is not subject to income tax.
Who is entitled to the Christmas bonus in 2025?
Aid allocated by Caf to RSA beneficiaries
Since 1998, and its implementation by Lionel Jospin, the Christmas bonus has been allocated each year by the Family Allowance Fund (Caf) and the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA) to a certain number of beneficiaries: people receiving active solidarity income (RSA).
Exceptional end-of-year assistance paid by France Travail to AER and ASS beneficiaries
Other beneficiaries can also claim this bonus through France Travail. The beneficiaries are:
2.2 million households met the grant conditions in 2024
In 2024, 2.2 million households will benefit from the Christmas bonus. A welcome boost, when we know that according to INSEE, 9.1 million French people live below the poverty line, i.e. 14.4% of the total population.
What is the amount of the Christmas bonus paid by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) in 2025?
A fixed amount
The amounts of the 2025 Christmas bonus are not yet known. But the amount for one person cannot be less than 152 euros. In 2024, despite inflation, the amount of the Christmas bonus allocated by France Travail to ASS and AER beneficiaries was the same as in 2023. Fixed, it amounted to 152.45 euros for a single person in mainland France and the French Overseas Territories. In Mayotte, the fixed amount was 76.23 euros.
Increase for single-parent families
Beneficiaries living alone and caring for one or more children could benefit from a amount increased by 35% in 2023. They had to request it from France Travail. In 2024, this increase for single-parent families had not been renewed.
What is the amount of the Christmas bonus paid by Caf in 2025?
Amount of the exceptional Christmas bonus paid by Caf
For RSA recipients (who therefore depend on Caf or MSA), the amount of the Christmas bonus varies depending on family situation. The 2025 amounts are not yet known. In 2024, they amounted to:
- 152.45 euros for a single person;
- 228.68 euros for a household of two people without children;
- 320.15 euros for a couple with two children.
In Mayotte, the amount of the bonus amounted to 114.35 euros for a single person with a dependent child.
Amounts of the Christmas bonus for RSA beneficiaries depending on the composition of their household 2024
When is the 2025 Christmas bonus paid?
Date of payment of the Christmas bonus by Caf 2025 and France Travail
Generally, the Christmas bonus is paid automatically by France Travail, the Caf and the MSA, in the fortnight before the end-of-year holidays. In 2025, it will be from Tuesday December 16, which is one day earlier than in 2024.
Payment date for new beneficiaries
New beneficiaries of minimum social benefits will receive the bonus from January 2026.
How to benefit from the Christmas bonus?
The Christmas bonus is automatically paid into the recipient’s bank account if the latter meets the conditions. He does not have to take any action or document to complete to receive it. He must only check that his personal information (RIB, family situation, etc.) provided to Caf or France Travail is up to date.
