Out of 1 million new potential beneficiaries of the energy check, only 53,000 households applied online. And the platform is supposed to close on December 31.
The energy check is no longer automatic. And hundreds of thousands of eligible households risk not receiving it… quite simply because they did not request it. According to information from RMC, out of 1 million new potential beneficiaries who must apply, only 53,000 checks have been granted, according to a document consulted by RMC (figure as of November 7). That is a ridiculous appeal rate of 5%, warn the associations, while the platform is supposed to close on December 31, after having opened on July 4.
Until now, the energy check was sent automatically to mailboxes. But because of the elimination of the housing tax, Bercy is now unable to identify eligible households and has therefore decided to exceptionally send this check to the same households as last year.
The problem lies with those who became eligible this year and who are therefore not known to the administration. They are estimated at 1 million. A counter was put online this summer so that they could make the request but only a little over 53,000 took the step and received the check, while there is only a month and a half left for the TO DO. The associations are calling for extending the lifespan of the online counter and making this aid automatic again.
5.5 million low-income households receive the energy check
The energy check is distributed each year to 5.5 million low-income households (those declaring less than 11,000 euros per year for a single person). Its amount is between 48 and 227 euros (150 euros on average). It allows you to pay energy bills (gas, fuel oil, electricity).
“We are examining all possible means to communicate more effectively and make the counter better known to its potential beneficiaries,” assures the office of Olga Givernet, the delegated minister in charge of Energy. We are also working to maximize as much as possible the automation of the granting of the check for 2025.
