Energy voucher, fuel allowance, wood heating aid… what help can you still apply for?

Food and energy prices have been on the rise for several months, public authorities have put in place various aids to support French families. Here are which ones.

Energy control

The energy allowance, the amount of which varies between 48 euros and 277 euros, can be used until 31 March 2024. “Sending will start from 21 April, without any measures to be taken for the beneficiaries”, specified the ministry. Press release.

It will be sent automatically by mail “to the 20% poorest households, whose reference tax income per unit of consumption (RFR/UC) is less than 11,000 euros in 2021,” according to the ministry.

Distributed since 2018, the energy allowance is paid once a year in the spring, to which an exceptional allowance of 100 to 200 euros was added at the end of 2022 for 12 million families.

Fuel control

This allowance, valid for one year, amounts to 200 euros for families with an annual income of less than 10,800 euros per unit of consumption (i.e. when the income of an adult in the family unit, deducting in particular the burden represented by minors, does not exceed 10,800 euros per year, according to the INSEE calculation). It will be 100 euros for those who earn between 10,800 and 20,000 euros per year per unit of consumption.

For families who have already used an energy audit in the past to pay their fuel bill, an automatic fuel audit has been set up. For other eligible households, on the other hand, they will have to make their request on a dedicated online help desk which will be active until March 31, 2023. Just send the fuel bill to receive help the following month.

According to the government, 1.6 million households could benefit from this check out of the 2.8 million who heat with fuel oil.

Assistance for wood heating

Since December 27, in the face of soaring energy prices, the government has set up a counter that allows those who heat with wood to request a check for between 50 and 200 euros. According to Bercy, “2.6 million families” are affected by the allocation of this aid.

To apply, go to this platform and enter your registrant number online. You must also declare a personal invoice proving a purchase of wood for a minimum amount of 50 euros (or a certificate for utilities with collective heating).

This allowance varies from 100 to 200 euros for French people whose reference tax income is less than 14,400 euros, and from 50 to 100 euros for those whose tax income is between 14,400 and 27,500 euros.

You can apply for this aid until April 30, 2023.

The fuel allowance

Announced at the end of 2022, the fuel allowance of 100 euros concerns all low-income workers belonging to a tax household whose reference per capita tax income, referring to income for the year 2021, is less than or equal to 14,700 euros. This bonus should compensate for the end of the 0.10 cents at the pump rebate abolished on January 1, 2023.

Compensation is paid per natural person and not per family unit. If each member of a couple uses their own vehicle to get to work, and satisfies the conditions, they can claim a fuel allowance. A couple can then receive compensation of 200 euros.

Also, the fuel allowance is not paid automatically. You have to ask. To do this, you must go to the tax website by clicking here. You will then have to fill out a form and indicate your name, your surname, your tax code, your email, the license plate of your vehicle and the number of the formula that appears at the bottom left of the gray card. Finally, you will need to complete an affidavit proving that you will do good work on the car.

Again, you have until March 31st to apply.