The energy check, financial aid system set up by the Stateis attracting the attention of the French at the end of 2024. For eligible households that have not yet received this valuable aid, the urgency is felt. The deadline for filing a complaint is fast approaching, leaving little time for latecomers to assert their rights.
Understanding the 2024 energy check and its challenges
The energy check represents a crucial financial support for many French households. With an amount ranging between 48 and 277 euros, this aid aims to reduce the energy bills of the most modest households. Traditionally, its allocation was based on an automatic system, relying on housing tax data to identify potential beneficiaries.
On the other hand, the year 2024 saw the emergence of an unexpected complication. The abolition of the housing tax in 2023 caused a dysfunction in the attribution process. Direct consequence: nearly a million French people found themselves deprived of this precious financial boost. Faced with this situation, consumer associations reacted quickly, pushing the government to review its strategy.
To remedy this problem, the executive put in place, on July 4, a complaints desk dedicated to injured households. This initiative aims to enable eligible people, but forgotten during the initial distribution, to assert their rights and benefit from the assistance to which they are entitled.
Final stretch to claim your energy check
If you think you are eligible for the 2024 energy check and you have not received it, it is imperative to act quickly. The deadline for submitting a claim is December 31, 2024. After this deadline, it will no longer be possible to benefit from this assistance for the current year.
To make your request, go to the official website chequeenergie.gouv.fr. Note that the eligibility criteria are based on 2022 income, declared in 2023. Here is an overview of the income ceilings not to be exceeded:
| Household composition | Maximum reference tax income |
|---|---|
| Single person | 11 000 € |
| Couple without children | 16 500 € |
| Single-parent family with one child | 16 500 € |
| Couple with child | 19 800 € |
If your situation matches these criteria, do not delay in taking the necessary steps to obtain your energy check before the deadline.
Assessment and outlook for the system
Currently, the results of this catch-up campaign are mixed. Of the million households potentially affected, only 110,000 requests were recordedresulting in the allocation of 31,500 checks. These figures reveal a significant gap between potential beneficiaries and those who actually claimed their due.
Several factors can explain this situation:
- A lack of information on the existence of the complaints desk
- Lack of knowledge of eligibility criteria
- Difficulties accessing or using the online platform
- A certain weariness with administrative procedures
Faced with this observation, it appears crucial to intensify communication efforts around the energy check and the possibilities for recourse. Public authorities and consumer associations have an essential role to play in informing and supporting citizens in their efforts, particularly as the deadline approaches.
Ultimately, the energy check remains a valuable tool in the fight against energy poverty. Its impact on the purchasing power of low-income households is undeniable, especially in a context of fluctuations in energy prices. It is therefore essential that each eligible household can benefit from it, thus contributing to better social and energy justice.
