100,000 West Flemish families use social energy tariff

The high energy prices that caused inflation and the war in Ukraine are leaving their mark on the most vulnerable families. A few days ago, it was announced that Intro, one of the largest collection agencies, has to process 12 percent more files about energy debts. The proportion of the population that can no longer pay their energy bills has thus increased significantly in recent months. The average value of the cases that Intro handles increased by 36 percent. This means that those who get into trouble now also have larger debts.

Expansion

At the beginning of 2021, amid the corona crisis, the federal government expanded the social rate to more families. Anyone who is entitled to an increased allowance, which is the case if the gross salary is below 1,640 euros per month, can also use the social rate since then. As a result, more than two million Belgians count on the social rate. In June, the federal government announced that it would once again extend the social rate until the end of this year and longer if necessary.

It should therefore come as no surprise that more people from West Flanders are also applying for a reduced rate. This is also apparent from figures requested by Vooruit municipal councilor in Harelbeke and federal faction leader Melissa Depraetere. More than 100,000 or 17 percent of West Flemish families had a social tariff for electricity in 2021, compared to about 60,000 families the year before. The number of families that received a social tariff for gas also jumped from about 40,000 to 70,000 in one year. That while the total electricity and gas contracts only slightly increased.

Purchasing power

Melissa Depraetere advocates the measure and praises her party’s share in, for example, increasing the minimum pension and minimum wages. “If it depends on us, we will extend the social rate for as long as necessary,” the politician proclaims. “Studies show that the measure is very effective in the fight against growing inequality. Especially in our province. This federal measure, together with the six percent VAT reduction, is the most important measure for protecting purchasing power.”

Depraetere urges citizens who fall just outside the social rate to turn to the federal gas and electricity fund, which amounts to 78 million euros for this year.