Nearly 900,000 Eligible Households Miss Out on 2024 Energy Assistance

A lack of awareness and administrative hurdles leave many low-income families without crucial energy aid as the deadline to claim it approaches.

The 2024 energy assistance program, offering between €48 and €277 to low-income households, faced significant distribution challenges due to administrative changes.
Approximately 900,000 eligible households have yet to claim their energy assistance, with only 100,000 submitting requests before the December 31 deadline.
The removal of the housing tax in 2023 complicated the identification of eligible recipients, particularly for new households or those with changing incomes.
Consumer and housing associations criticize the government for insufficient communication and claim the process has been deliberately complicated to reduce costs.
Proposed changes for 2025 may require beneficiaries to register on a new platform with additional documentation, raising concerns about further barriers to access.