What changes on September 1 for the household budget

This back-to-school month was marked in particular by a sharp increase in regulated gas prices as well as new compensation terms for partial activity.

  • Regulated gas prices increase by almost 9%

The increases follow one another for the regulated gas tariffs marketed by Engie, which again increased strongly in this 1er September, by 8.7% (excluding VAT) on average. In detail, the increase “Is 2.7% for customers who use gas for cooking, 5.5% for those who have dual use, cooking and hot water, and 9.0% for homes that heat with gas “, specified the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).

Since 1er August 2020, the monthly changes all translated into increases (almost 10% in July 2021, in particular), with one exception, on the 1er April 2021 (- 4.1%). In the end, the average price increase has been nearly 16% since 1er January 2019, by 31% since the 1er January 2020 and almost 40% since the 1er January 2021.

“This unprecedented increase is observed in all European and Asian countries, indicates CRE. It is explained by the global economic recovery (…) and by the sharp increase in gas prices on the world market. “ In question : “Asian prices rising continuously, leading to a sharp decrease in supply in Europe”, but also the “European storage levels at the lowest for years”, who “Must be reconstituted quickly for the winter” and which make the market very “Sensitive to maintenance problems”.

  • The 2020 meal vouchers have expired, but the 38 euros have been extended

Finally, it is still possible to pay daily in meal vouchers up to 38 euros at the restaurant (the ceiling is 19 euros in normal times), and to pay by this means his bill at the restaurant every day, weekends and public holidays. understood. These easing measures linked to the health crisis were to end on 1er September but the government announced in a communicated, their extension until the end of February 2022.

“The overstocks of securities saved as a result of health restrictions in recent months have not yet been completely absorbed”, specifies the press release. ” The stock (…) held by employees is, according to issuers, several hundred million euros higher than normal. “

This 1er September, however, marks the end of the validity of meal vouchers stamped 2020, which had been exceptionally extended. Employees with “paper” tickets have until September 15 to return these expired titles to their employer and obtain “2021” tickets in exchange.

  • Partial unemployment benefit decreases for some

1er July, employees in partial activity saw their compensation increase from 70% to 60% of gross salary (from around 84% to 72% of net salary) in the general case and in the absence of a partial activity agreement long-term (except for minimum wage, for which the allowance is always 100%). Employees of companies in so-called “protected” sectors, the most affected by the health crisis, were however not affected by this decline so far. They must be from this 1er September.

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The rate of 70% must nevertheless be maintained for the time being in certain situations, in the event of a sharp drop in the company’s turnover, if it falls within protected sectors, and in administratively closed companies.

  • Taxes: a new rate of withholding tax

Don’t be surprised when you receive your September pay: as of this month, your withholding tax rate may have changed, depending on your 2020 income, which you declared before the summer. The substitution is done automatically.

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If at the beginning of the year you had intervened in your personal space of the tax website to change your rate, it will continue to apply, unless the rate from your last declaration is higher.

  • SNCF: a “teleworking package”

A new SNCF subscription can be used from this 1er September on TGV and Intercity trains: the “annual teleworking package”. Aimed at those who travel on the same line two to three times a week, it can book up to 250 trips, “With a rate 40% lower than the classic annual package”, SNCF announces. However, be careful not to telecommute on Friday because the package is valid from Monday to Thursday.

The prices depend on the line. Example given by the SNCF for the Paris-Lille route: 351 euros per month with this subscription, against 586 euros with the classic annual package.

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Another novelty in public transport this 1er September: in Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur, trains and buses of the “Zou” network will be free for four months for 18-26 year olds living in the region (the offer does not concern either school transport buses or trains leaving the region, nor urban transport – the terms here).

  • Housing assistance and professionalization contracts

From September, people on a professionalization contract will benefit, for the calculation of their housing assistance, from a reduction in their income equivalent to the minimum wage. This measure was introduced to counter the effects, on this population, of the reform of the method of calculating housing assistance which took place on 1er January 2021 (the “real-time calculation). “This relates to the September duties paid in October”, specify the services of the Minister for Housing, Emmanuelle Wargon.

  • No “emergency package” before 2022

1er September should be marked by the entry into force of a change in the pricing of emergency services, provided for in the 2021 Social Security budget: the introduction of an “emergency patient package” billed to patients whose taking supported by these services is not followed by hospitalization. This flat rate, which should replace the current pricing system, had been announced for an amount close to 18 euros, and 8 euros for the reduced rate (amounts not yet confirmed by decree).

This reform would however be postponed to 1er January 2022, according to the information of the UFC-Que Choisir consumer association.