Electricity: discount bonus for needy households increased up to 165 euro

Milan, January 13, 2017

Italian version

The Regulatory Authority for Energy increased the electricity bonus for households in need [1], now ranging from 112 to 165 euro, based on household  composition, with a reduction going up to the planned 30% of the yearly gross expenditure. The adjustment was established in implementation of the 29 December 2016 Decree by the Minister of Economic Development, which, based on L.D. 102/14[2] and in line with the proposal made by the Regulatory Authority with its report 287 of June 2015, revised the rules for providing the subsidy.

Starting 1 January 2017, the bonus goes from the 20% calculated on the net expenditure to the 30% off the average expenditure before tax. Thus, the discount for 2017 goes up to 112 euro for 1-2-member households (from 80 euro in 2016), 137 euro for 3-4-member households (from 93 euro) and 165 euro for households with more than 4 members (from 153 euro). The reduction of  the expenditure net of taxes is 32% on average. The adjustment goes also for the maximum ISEE level for subsidy eligibility. Hence, for households with fewer than 4 dependent children, the 29 December Decree provides the update for 2017 as 8,107.5 euro (it was 7,500 euro from 2008 to 2016), thereby increasing the number of  potential beneficiaries. Thereafter, it will be updated every 3 years by the Regulatory Authority based on the performance of consumer prices. The increased ISEE level is also valid for gas Bonus eligibility, while the maximum ISEE threshold of 20.000 euro will stay the same for both gas and electricity as regards households with at least 4 dependent children. The implementation of another aspect, superseding the requirement that just the one house whose address is registered as one's legal residence be eligible for the electricity subsidy, which the Regulatory Authority has been proposing for quite some time, is being postponed to a subsequent measure that will approved shortly.

The postponement was made necessary by the need to coordinate action in the best way, involving also the gas sector, and check the consistency of IT procedures. The requirement by which each household is entitled to a single electricity or gas bonus for economic hardship, possibly combined with the electricity bonus for physical hardship, remains unchanged. As a result of the new compensation calculation rule, the electricity bonus allows low-consumption resident customers who are entitled to completely offset also the possible effects of the tariff reform for household customers. The electricity or gas bonus application form should be submitted to one's Municipality of residence or other institution designated by the Municipality (CAF, mountain communities). All information and materials are available at www.autorita.energia.it or www.bonusenergia.anci.it.



[1] With 1/2017/R/eel, the first resolution of 2017.
[2] Which required an intervention to offset the possible effect on vulnerable customers of the distribution tariff reform for electricity household customers