Minimum wage, civil servants, holiday vouchers…. What will change on May 1, 2022 (Credit: Getty Images)Overview of everything that will change in the lives of French people from May 1, 2022.The Smic will exceed 1,300 euros netThe 2 million French people paid minimum wage will get a boost. As of May 1, the minimum wage will increase by 2.65% due to the high inflation recorded since the beginning of 2022. Currently at 1,603 euros gross per month for 35 hours of work per week, the interprofessional minimum wage of growth will amount to 1645.58 euros gross per month from next Monday to protect the purchasing power of the most modest. That is an increase of 33 euros net per month.” Over one year (from May 2021 to May 2022), the minimum wage will therefore have increased by 5.9%, or 91 euros gross per month (72 euros net); it will have gone from 1230.60 euros to 1302.64 euros net”, indicates on its website the Ministry of Labor. Salary increase for 700,000 civil servants The minimum salary of public officials will also increase on May 1st. Via a decree published on Thursday April 21 in the Official Journal, the executive decided to raise the minimum salary of agents of the three public functions (State, hospital and territorial). The minimum wage for full-time contract workers and civil servants will be increased to 1,649.48 euros gross per month. The objective of this revaluation is to prevent certain civil servants from receiving less than the minimum wage. 700,000 civil servants should benefit from it. Slight increase in social assistance The revaluation of social assistance is less generous since it amounts to 1.8%, a figure below inflation. This slight increase will be applied to all the allowances paid by the CAF: RSA, activity bonus or even the back-to-school allowance. The SNCF facilitates the use of holiday vouchers This is a big novelty which could well be a relief for many French people. It will soon be possible to use holiday vouchers directly online to be able to buy a train ticket. Once the much criticized SNCF Connect application has been updated, travelers will no longer have to queue at the counter to pay with their holiday vouchers. You will still have to go to the ANCV mobile application to enter the code that appears on the check as well as the year of issue and the organization number in the “Exchanges” section. SNCF intends to make the use of this means of payment more accessible. This new service will come into effect “during May”.Read moreFor smokers, the price of cigarette packs is changingFrom May 1, the prices of certain packs will increase. Some Winston packages (Xsphere, Xsphere Breeze, Xsphere 100’s, or Xsphere Ssl) will increase by 10 cents. On the other hand, the Lucky Strike original red American mix, in 20 units, will see their price drop by ten cents, from 10.20 euros to 10 euros. To see if your package is impacted, take a look at the customs website. Students, taxpayers and voters: beware of deadlines Beware of latecomers on the side of students or future students. You have until May 15 to submit your scholarship and housing applications for the 2022-2023 academic year. A unique online procedure is open until this date to compile a Student Social File (DSE) which will allow you to apply for a grant based on social criteria (BCS) and accommodation in a university residence. …You were unable to vote for the presidential election and you want to slip a ballot into the ballot box at all costs for the 2022 legislative elections (June 12 and 19)? It is not too late. The process can be completed online until Wednesday May 4, at the town hall or by post until Friday May 6. Finally, don’t be surprised by the delays in completing your tax return. As every year, the dates vary according to your department of residence. Until Tuesday, May 24 midnight if your department is between 01 (Ain) and 19 (Corrèze) Until Tuesday, May 31 midnight if your department is included between 20 (Corsica) and 54 (Meurthe-et-Moselle) Until Wednesday, June 8 midnight if your department is between 55 (Meuse) and 976 (Mayotte). Do you still declare your income on paper? You have until midnight Thursday May 19 to complete the 2022 declaration.VIDEO – “20 Minutes” compares prices between France and Belgium