price of gas, tobacco, RSA, energy check, promotions…

FRANCE – As at the start of each month, several changes will take place from this Friday March 1, 2024 in the lives of the French. Among them, we find in particular a new increase in the price of tobacco, a change in retirement pensions from the Agirc-Arrco supplementary insurance or a future drop in the price of gas.

HuffPost takes stock of the new features that come into force for this third month of the year.

• RSA packaged in 47 departments

Tested in 18 departments since 2023, the active solidarity income (RSA) conditioned on 15 hours of activity per week is being deployed in 29 additional departments to concern beneficiaries in a total of 47 departments. This measure aimed at promoting the professional integration of recipients will be generalized across the entire territory in 2025.

Please note that these 15 hours of weekly activity can notably take the form of immersion in a company to refine your professional project, obtaining a driving license, carrying out procedures to access rights, or even participation in activities in the voluntary sector.

• The capping of certain on-shelf promotions

The Descrozaille law comes into force on March 1. In application of this text, promotions on non-food products such as hygiene, maintenance or perfumery in supermarkets can no longer exceed 34%. No more discounts on diapers, shower gel or laundry detergent of up to 70% or even 80%.

This law aims to correct the imbalance in commercial relations that may exist between suppliers and distributors.

• The 2023 energy check expires soon

There is only one month left for the 5.6 million households concerned to use their energy check sent on April 21, 2023. This will expire on March 31. It was set up by the government to help the French pay electricity and gas bills.

A new energy check for the rest of 2024 will soon be sent by mail to the households concerned in order to cope with the rise in energy prices.

• Drop in gas prices

The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), which publishes its price every month “landmark”, announced a sharp drop for March – by 5% –, which should lead suppliers to significantly reduce their prices and therefore the amount of your invoice.

The CRE therefore recommends a rate for the kilowatt hour (kWh) at 0.09291 euros including tax for households using mainly gas for heating, and at 0.11585 euros including tax for those using gas for hot water and cooking.

• Regularization of retirement pensions

Agirc-Arrco supplementary pensions, paid to 13 million retirees, will be regularized this month. Certain retirees, whose CSG rate increased in 2024 in application of their last income tax notice, will thus receive in March a pension lower than that which they usually receive. Pensions for January and February were calculated based on the old rate.

“If, conversely, your CSG rate has fallen, you will receive a transfer to your bank account in February corresponding to the reimbursement of social security contributions deducted in excess from your pensions for the months of January and February”, explains Agirc-Arrco.

• The end of validity of dematerialized meal vouchers in 2023

You may still have meal vouchers from 2023 on your dedicated card. These expire on March 1st… but they are not lost. The balance will normally be temporarily frozen before being transferred back to your 2024 outstanding in mid-March.

• The price of tobacco increases (again)

After an increase from 50 cents to 1 euro on January 1, the price of a pack of cigarettes will increase again on March 1, from 10 cents to 1 euro. But for a limited number of brands, mainly Lucky Strike, Winfied, Vogue and Pall Mall.

Thus, a pack of 20 Lucky Strike or Winfield cigarettes goes from 11.5 to 12 euros. The pack of 40 cigarettes from Rothmans London Mega costs 1 euro, from 23 to 24 euros. The new prices for cigarette packets can be found on this document from the French customs website.

• Changing your driving license from automatic to manual gearbox made easier

Holders of an automatic transmission driving license will no longer need to wait three months to access the seven-hour training allowing them to get behind the wheel of a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.

Furthermore, the duration of simulator training increases from one to two hours, while the driving license certificate and the certificate certifying the ability to drive will be sufficient to hit the road with a manual gearbox, without necessarily waiting for the issuance of the license. driving license title.

• Changes in health prices

Price changes in the health sector will only take place at the very end of the month, on the 31st. The amount of the excess which remains payable by the patient on each box of medicines will double, from 50 cents to one euro. The excess on medical transport will also be doubled from 2 to 4 euros.

• The transition to summer time

At the end of March, on the night of Saturday 30 to Sunday 31, we will switch to summer time. At 2 a.m., it will be 3 a.m.

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