Theoretically sent to all eligible households last April, the energy check can be used to pay several types of energy bills. RMC Conso takes a look at what you need to know to use it.
The energy check is a government aid granted to low-income households to help them cover part of their energy costs. This year, the households concerned received it in theory during the month of April. However, nearly a million eligible people have not yet received it, due to an identification problem linked to the abolition of the housing tax. The latter will be able to claim it from this Thursday, July 4 by going to the dedicated platform.
But in reality, what bills can be paid using this device? Is it limited to energy bills? RMC Conso explains.
Gas, energy renovation, rental charges
If you received your first energy check last April and you don’t know how to use it, first of all, you should know that it has no financial value. It cannot therefore be deposited into a bank account.
As reported by the platform in charge of the energy check which depends on the Ministry of Economy, this boost is intended to settle the following charges:
- Your bill for electricity, gas, heating, domestic fuel, or other heating fuels.
- Your rental charges including energy charges, if you live in social housing.
- Your energy costs are included in your fee, if you are housed in a residential home approved by the APL or in an EHPAD, an EHPA, an independent living residence, an establishment or a long-term care unit (ESLD, USLD).
- Certain expenses related to energy renovation work on your home.
Furthermore, as provided for in Article 1 of Decree No. 2024-411 of May 4, social landlords are now required to accept this means of payment.
“In this case, the social landlord will be able to deduct the entire check from the next receipt, even if the monthly amount of energy-related charges is less than the amount of the energy check,” explains the Ministry of the Economy.
If the value of the energy check is greater than the amount of these charges, the excess payment must be deducted from the next receipts. In the event of termination of the lease, the excess payment will, where applicable, be returned to the beneficiary.
Work carried out by RGE professionals
To use your energy check for energy renovation work, it is essential to call on professionals with the RGE (Environmental Guarantor) label. They are able to carry out work and/or an energy audit and have certified skills in energy renovation.
But be careful, “only certain works, which correspond to those eligible for the ‘energy transition tax credit’ (CITE)/Ma Prime Rénov’, can be paid for with the energy check”, specifies the platform in charge of the system.
Different ways to pay with your energy check
It is possible to pay your bill directly online by entering your check number, scratch code and customer reference, but also by mail by sending your coupon to your supplier.
In addition, people eligible for the scheme can also request that their next energy check be automatically taken into account by their electricity or gas supplier once it has been allocated. Simply make a request on the dedicated page accessible on the scheme website.
For fuel purchases and payment for energy renovation work, you simply need to give your coupon to the supplier or company you are contacting.
As a reminder, all energy suppliers and all RGE professionals are required to accept the energy check, in accordance with article L. 124-1 of the energy code.
