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Argentina Rolls Out Targeted Bottle-Gas Refund, Replacing Programa Hogar

The change targets low‑income homes through instant digital refunds to keep garrafas available.

Overview

  • In May, the new SEF scheme began refunding 9,593 pesos per 10‑kg cylinder at the moment of purchase for households registered in the ReSEF.
  • Shoppers must pay through BNA+ or MODO wallets at participating checkouts, with two cylinders a month covered in winter and one in warmer months.
  • Access requires online ReSEF signup and applies to homes without a gas network and incomes below three basic baskets, with priority for disability card holders, veterans, and ReNaBaP certificate holders.
  • The Energy Secretariat says about 2,000 stores are enabled for QR refunds, though local reporting finds confusion about which outlets participate and uneven merchant adoption.
  • Gas bill aid under the same regime rises to 75% of the covered block in May and then steps down each month until it ends in December.