The tax bill signed Friday by President Barack Obama included an early Christmas present for House staffers: an extension of the monthly transit stipend.

The $230 maximum monthly allowance was set to revert this month to the pre-2009 stimulus bill level of $120. But the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act included a provision to extend the $230 limit until the end of next year.

Chief Administrative Officer Dan Strodel sent a letter to House offices Wednesday notifying them of the extension and urging staff to apply for the benefit no later than March.

All House staffers are eligible except unpaid interns.