2023-04-30 10:34:24
Posted Apr 30, 2023, 9:00 AMUpdated on Apr 30, 2023, 12:34 PM
Inflation continues to penalize French households. To cope with the rise in prices, many social benefits are being revalued from May 1, 2023. New revaluation of the minimum wage, increase in social aid, suspension of the wood check… other changes should be noted at the start of this month.
New revaluation of the SMIC
Elisabeth Borne announced that the SMIC would increase on May 1 by “just over 2%”. The consequence once once more of inflation which remains at a very high level: the rise in consumer prices reached 5.7% in March over twelve months, indicated INSEE in mid-April.
In detail, the hourly rate of the SMIC will increase by 2.19% to 11.52 euros gross and nearly 9.12 euros net. For a full-time 35-hour week, the 2.19% increase will represent nearly 38 euros gross and 30 euros net more each month, to 1,747 euros gross.
This will be the second increase of the year. On January 1, the legal minimum wage had indeed increased by 1.8% to reach 1,709 euros gross and 1,353 euros net per month for 35 hours per week. This had represented 30 euros gross more per month. In 2022, the legal minimum wage saw three increases, on January 1, May 1 and August 1. Since October 2021, the cumulative increase has now reached 10%.
Increase in social assistance
Social benefits, including the RSA, the activity bonus and family allowances, increased by 1.6% on April 1. The new RSA amount is therefore, for example, 607.75 euros for a single person and 911.62 euros for a couple. If the increase was recorded in April, it is on May 5 that the beneficiaries will see it appear, since the benefits are paid each month in arrears, that is to say – in this specific case – in May for the month of April.
Evolution of the price of tobacco
French Customs have announced an increase in tobacco prices. Some cigarette packs will be affected. For example, the pack of Lucky Strike Blue will then go from 10.60 euros to 11 euros. All tobacco versions of this brand will increase. We also find the packages of Rothmans, Vogue, but also Winfield. Brands that are not affected have already reached the significant bar of 11 euros in recent months.
In addition, Elisabeth Borne announced last September that cigarette prices will be indexed to inflation. All packages should be priced at 11 euros by 2024.
Last days to claim your wood check
While requests might initially be made until the end of April, the government has postponed the deadline for requesting the wood check by one month. To benefit from it, you have to go to the portal for exceptional government energy vouchers.
This aid, which ranges from 50 to 200 euros depending on income, family composition and type of fuel, must be made online. 2.6 million eligible households. Those who heat themselves with wood pellets are thus entitled to 200 euros for the most modest and 100 euros for households with slightly higher incomes, while households who heat themselves with logs, sticks or chips are entitled to 100 euros for the most modest or 50 euros for the others.
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