With higher temperatures and a lovely sun on the way, it is starting to become spring. Yet Jessica from Helmond is already busy with winter. Together with her daughter (8), she is one of the many households that has to deal with energy poverty and now also the high petrol prices. She has a rheumatic disease and a Wajong benefit. And that’s no fat.
Jessica’s energy bill has risen sharply since her energy supplier Welkom Energie went bankrupt last year. “In recent months, the costs have increased enormously. I have a debt of 350 euros with my new energy supplier.”
Jessica built up those debts over the winter months. “Some days it was so cold that I turned on the heating while I do it as little as possible.”
Spring and summer are good months for her, but the worries don’t just disappear. “How am I going to pay my energy bill next winter if it’s too cold to turn off the heating? It’s in my head all the time.”
The rise in petrol prices further aggravates the situation of Jessica and her daughter (8). “It is almost impossible to take my daughter to swimming lessons in Mierlo twice a week.”
Her daughter’s swimming lessons are paid for half by Stichting Leergeld. “That’s nice, but I still have to cough up some myself. And then I also have to make sure I have enough gas to take her away.”
That means that Jessica has to cut back on other expenses. “Everything I lack is deducted from the household money. My daughter and I sometimes eat soup with a sandwich three times a week, even though we can go to the food bank.”
Jessica has been waiting since the end of last year for an allowance of 200 euros that will be paid out through the municipality. “I have already called the municipality a few times, but still have not received anything. It is frustrating that it is taking so long. With 200 euros I can pay off part of my debts.”
It also takes months before the housing association takes action. “If the front door is better insulated and the broken sealant on the window frame is replaced, it will be warmer inside. But this neighborhood is on the schedule and they can’t give me priority.”
According to sources from The Hague, the measures that the cabinet wants to take would mean a lot for households living in energy poverty. As of 1 July, for example, a one-off payment of 600 or 800 euros would be added to the 200 euros allowance for households. Energy prices would also fall due to a reduction in the VAT rate and excise duties on petrol and diesel would be reduced.
“These measures would provide peace of mind. With a one-off payment I can pay off my debts and thus have a buffer for the winter months. It would provide some temporary relief.”
The name Jessica has been changed for privacy reasons.
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