Consumer associations have questioned Bruno Le Maire regarding aid which should have been paid to more beneficiaries. To respond to “this inequality of access”, the Minister of the Economy assured that a complaints system would be put in place.
With inflation and the rise in electricity prices, whose bills increased on average by 8.6 to 9.8% on February 1, 2024, the French are struggling financially. To help households, certain aid is put in place by the government. But it sometimes happens that these nudges are not completely well established.
This is the case of the energy check which should have benefited a million additional people this winter “while they meet the criteria to obtain it” specify in a joint press release published on February 5 several associations: CLCV, Afoc, Rural Families, Cnafal, UFC, and Unaf. “A draft decree submitted for consultation to the High Energy Council indicates that only beneficiaries of this system in 2023 would receive a check for the same amount in 2024, based on their 2021 reference tax income. […] The DGEC estimates that each year, 1 million households access the benefit of the energy check for the first time. Leaving them at the door when their income meets the eligibility criteria is unacceptable and scandalous” they specify.
This valuable aid which allows French people to pay their home energy bills amounts to 150 euros, and the amount can reach 277 euros, depending on household income. In 2023, nearly 6 million households will have been able to benefit from this assistance, valid until March 31, 2024.
Faced with this controversy, the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire wanted to reassure consumers. In 2024, “all those who are entitled to the energy check” will be able to receive it, he assured on France 5. But then, what happened? The tax services and “a certain number of technical reasons would be at the origin of this hiccup.”The energy check is paid not only based on your tax income, but also based on your accommodation. This accommodation was identified thanks to the payment of the housing tax. As it has been removed, it is more difficult to identify accommodation, but we will remedy this difficulty.” explained the boss of Bercy.
If you are one of the beneficiaries who did not receive your energy check at the end of the sending campaign which takes place in April and May, please note that an online complaints counter will be set up.
How do I know if I am entitled to the energy check?
The energy check is intended for poorest households, or around 20% of the French population. Resource conditions and household composition are taken into account. The aid is allocated based on the reference tax income (RFR) per consumption unit (CU). Note that the value of a family’s consumption unit is calculated in this way: “the first person in the household counts for 1 UC, the second for 0.5 UC and the following for 0.3 UC”, indicates the Public Service website. Furthermore, the value of this unit is reduced by half for minor children who are dependent on the parents. To find out if you are entitled to the energy check, a simulator allows you to check your eligibility. here is the link of the online simulator on the site checkenergie.gouv.fr.
To benefit from the energy check, there is no action to take. “It’s automatic.”. It is the French tax administration which is responsible for listing the beneficiaries who meet the eligibility conditions. For any questions, do not hesitate to contact the energy check assistance on 0 805 204 805 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., free call).