Nearly 6 million low-income households will benefit from an exceptional check of 100 euros to help them pay their energy bill, in the face of the current rise in prices, the government announced on Wednesday (September 15th).
Prime Minister Jean Castex will announce this Thursday, September 16 “the establishment of an exceptional and very simple social assistance of 100 euros for all households who today benefit from the energy check”, or “5.8 million households” , said Matignon.
Eligible households will not have to take any new steps and will receive this exceptional assistance by post in December, regardless of their heating method (electricity, fuel, gas).
“It is a form of support to overcome this situation which is considered to be a cyclical increase in the price of energy which will lead to an increase in the price of heating”, one explained to Matignon.
In particular, gas prices have experienced strong increases in recent months, driven by the global economic recovery. Regulated tariffs increased by 8.7% on September 1, after more than 5% in August and nearly 10% in July.
An already existing device
The energy check is an already existing system that covers part of the electricity, gas or fuel bills or even energy renovation work. With an average amount of 150 euros, it benefits certain households according to their tax income.
Seven months before the presidential election, the rise in energy prices is a sensitive issue for the executive. Energy is one of the main expenditure constraints of households, especially the most modest, and was the trigger for the movement of yellow vests at the end of 2018.
