The exceptional energy check should finally materialize for the French concerned. After several weeks of announcements, it should be sent to nearly 12 million households between the end of December and mid-February. The government published a decree on Sunday, which comes into force on Monday, in order to set the terms of eligibility and validity of the exceptional energy check for the year 2022.
Aid of 100 to 200 euros in addition to the classic energy check
Since 2018, an energy check has been paid once a year in the spring to some six million low-income households. This year, there is also this “exceptional check” for 2022 from 100 to 200 euros. It will be sent automatically to beneficiaries from the end of the month, reaching a total of 12 million households. This represents nearly one in three French households. The shipment will be “spread over a period of around eight weeks”, the Ministry of Energy Transition told Agence France Presse.
The amount of the check is set at “€200 for households whose annual reference tax income per consumption unit is less than 10,800 euros” and “€100 for households whose annual reference tax income per consumption unit is greater than or equal to 10,800 euros and less than 17,400 euros”, specifies the text.
Valid until the end of 2024 and sent automatically
Compared to the classic energy check, this decree extends the expiry date of the exceptional energy check by an additional year. Energy suppliers “are only required to accept the exceptional energy check in payment until March 31, 2024”, and it “can only be presented for reimbursement until May 31, 2024”, indicates the decree.
To benefit from it, it is mandatory to declare your income. The check will be sent automatically provided you are eligible. It takes the form of a secure document with a unique number. It can then be sent to the energy supplier along with an invoice.
On September 14, the government announced the payment of these exceptional checks in the context of rising energy prices. To preserve household purchasing power, the government has limited the increase in regulated electricity and gas sales prices to 15% in 2023. In the absence of this price shield measure, the increase should have been 120%, underlines Bercy. In addition, and also subject to resources, a fuel check of 100 to 200 euros and aid of 50 to 200 euros for those heating with wood were also announced at the end of November.