here are all the details of government aid to households to cope with rising energy costs

Alexander De Croo announced them on Tuesday, following the agreement on the 2023-2024 budget. Here are some details regarding other bonuses given to households to deal with rising energy costs.

> Regarding the check for 250 euros for the pellet heating, it is already clear to the cabinet of Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne that this will only concern households that heat exclusively with pellets. This concerns 1% of households in Belgium. No question, therefore, of asking for it if you use pellets on occasion. You will need to have placed an order in bulk or in bags and be able to justify it with an invoice (so keep your documents well!). A photo of your installation will also be requested. The form to request this bonus of 250 euros will be available via the FPS Economy in the coming weeks, we are told. Checks may also take place on an ad hoc basis to verify requests.

> A little patience too for the complement of 75 euros paid to those who have already received the 225 euros fuel oil/propane bonus. It will be paid automatically to those who had already obtained the 225 euros from the federal government in recent weeks. On the other hand, if you have not yet submitted your application to the SPF, the deadline has been extended until March 31 and the payment will immediately be 300 euros.

> The government has also validated an “energy package” for all those who have a variable or fixed contract following October 2021, up to 131 euros for gas and 65 euros for electricity, i.e. around 1,000 euros since they will be applied directly to the gas and electricity bills of individual customers, for the months of November to December.

It should already be noted that these amounts have not been fixed: they will vary according to energy prices, but will represent 15,000 kWh of gas and 1,5000 kWh of free electricity for households that are not entitled to the social tariff. The government will therefore be able to intervene beyond 1,000 euros if prices soar, for example. And that if the amounts cover the 5 months when household consumption is the strongest, the measure will not already be implemented on your November invoice, as suppliers need time to enrich and cross-reference their customers’ data.

If you do not heat yourself with gas, you will not be able to claim more intervention in terms of electricity either. The ceiling being 1,500 kWh. And don’t count on an increase in the fuel oil/propane premium either.

Please also note: depending on your income (more than 3,000 euros net per month for a single person and 5,000 euros net per month for a couple, approximately Ed), this benefit may in part be claimed from you at the time of your tax declaration.