With energy costs skyrocketing, the energy surcharge of 1,300 euros is a very welcome help for many people to continue paying the bills. But whether you also get that 1,300 euros depends very much on where you live. This is apparent from a tour of a number of Brabant municipalities.
To be entitled to the energy allowance of a total of 1300 euros, your income must not exceed 120 percent of the social assistance standard. That is the rule of thumb that the central government uses as a condition for paying that allowance. But a number of municipalities in Brabant deviate from that guideline.
For example, in Breda, Oss, Tilburg or Steenbergen, your income may well be slightly higher than the 120 percent standard in order to still be able to receive the energy allowance. But in Waalwijk, Den Bosch, Heusden, Roosendaal, Zundert and Meierijstad they are stricter: if you exceed the 120 percent standard, you get nothing.
“The difference in the application of the energy surcharge rules is comparable to the difference in local taxes,” says an alderman from the west of the province. “For example, with one you pay more property tax than with the other municipality. And one municipality is a bit richer and has more money to do something extra for its residents than another municipality. So you have to put the differences in a broader perspective.”
“This means that not 12,000 but 14,000 households are eligible for the allowance.”
In Steenbergen, for example, the lower limit for applying for an energy allowance has been raised to 135% of the social minimum. “That was agreed in the coalition negotiations.” And in Breda you can also have a little more financial room to be eligible for the energy surcharge. “This means that not 12,000 but 14,000 households are eligible for the allowance,” according to the municipality of Breda.
“We want to help residents in all kinds of ways to avoid getting into debt due to the sharply rising energy costs. By making the energy allowance available to more residents, we contribute to this,” said Marike de Nobel, alderman for poverty reduction.
The municipality of Oss has also raised the income limit for the energy allowance: to 130 percent of the social minimum. “This includes 5,800 households in the municipality of Oss,” according to the municipality.
And a few days ago Tilburg also changed tack. Tilburg residents who earn up to 130 percent of the social minimum will also receive the energy allowance. “We want to support households in the short term with the increased costs. We see that many people are already finding themselves in financial difficulties,” said Alderman Esmah Lahlah.
In Dongen, the 120 percent limit is strictly enforced. But on top of the 1,300 euros for those households, the municipality also draws its own wallet. “The municipality of Dongen will allocate 150,000 euros this year to increase the one-off energy surcharge for this year by 200 euros.” In December, approximately 700 households will receive this extra contribution.
The municipality of Eindhoven is doing something similar. He also uses the 120 percent standard, but like Dongen also gives extra allowances via the so-called ‘Participation contribution’. For example, you can claim an ‘energy voucher’ of 70 euros.
The municipalities mentioned in this article are a cross-section of smaller and larger municipalities in our province. Because the situation per municipality can change (rapidly) about the income limit, it is recommended to consult the website of your own municipality.