This increase in energy prices is beginning to be reflected in the number of families experiencing payment difficulties. For example, Intrum today has 12 percent more interventions in the energy sector than a few months ago. Due to the increased prices, it is also about increasing amounts. The average value of a file is now 36 percent higher.
Debt counselor MyTrustO, a collaboration between the social sector and bailiffs, has identified a similar trend. A total of about 2,000 calls are received there per month. “Until a few months ago, energy was one of the factors in 30 percent of the cases. Today it is 60 percent.”
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There is a growing group of people who are not yet visible. It is middle class people who do not qualify for the social rate.
According to experts, this is just the start of a bigger wave that they expect in the autumn. “There is a growing group of people who are getting into trouble, but who are not yet visible. It is middle class people who do not qualify for the social rate. They see their bill double or triple. They are still trying to absorb these price increases with their savings, but they cannot continue to do so,” says Stefan Goemaere, expert on energy poverty at Saamo (Community Development).