The 2023 energy check
Generalized in France since January 1, 2018, to replace social energy tariffs, the energy check is an aid that the Government has decided to make available to low-income households to pay their energy consumption bills or certain works energy renovation.
In 2023, facing soaring energy pricesmore particularly gas and electricity, but also wood, this system is renewed with an annual amount of between 48 and 277 euros, and, as in previous years, it is necessary to meet a certain number of criteria to be able to be eligible.
Who can benefit ?
Throughout the country, around 5.6 million households benefit from the energy check. These households are not chosen at random, they are chosen based on two criteria:
- in relation to resources, more particularly, in relation to the reference tax income (RFR). This reference tax income is calculated by the tax services from all income and gains declared within the same household and it is this which determines whether you can benefit from certain aid and to what extent;
- in relation to the composition of the household which is determined in consumption units. These consumption units are counted as follows: one person constitutes 1 unit, the second 0.5 and all people beyond the second 0.3.
Thus, all households whose 2021 reference tax income is less than €11,000 per consumption unit will receive an energy check of a more or less large amount. If you don’t know if you will be able to take advantage of it, a simulator is available on the website chequeenergie.gouv.fr. To access this site you will need your tax reference number.
How to benefit from it?
The good news is that there is no action to take to receive the energy check. In fact, it is automatically sent to the beneficiary’s home by the tax administration. Be careful to report any possible change of address, as the check is sent to the last known address.
When were the energy checks sent?
Sending energy checks began on April 21, 2023. If you have not received yoursyou can refer to the shipping schedule to find out when it will be shipped based on your department of residence.
What to do if you haven’t received it?
If by checking the date of sending the 2023 energy checks planned for your region, you realize that you have not received yours even though you think you are eligible, you have two options:
- It is possible to complete and send the claim form available on the official website dedicated to the energy check. In this case, you must specify in the subject: “Dispute – Non-receipt”.
- It is also possible to contact an energy check advisor from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling the following toll-free number: 0 805 204 805.
How to use the energy check?
You must know that the energy check is nominative, that is, if you are the beneficiary, it bears your name and therefore can only be used to pay bills in your name.
Furthermore, it is a check that you cannot cash at your bank or deposit into your account. You can only use it for pay a bill with an energy suppliereither online or by post.
This may be to pay your electricity bill, natural gas, liquefied petroleum, domestic fuel oil, wood, biomass or other fuels used to power your heating, but also to produce hot water.
- For online payment : so that your supplier can deduct your energy check from your next bill, you must access the site chequeenergie.gouv.fr/beneficiaire/paiement and enter the number of your energy check. This number can be found in the scratch box marked “Void if discovered”. After typing this number, you must follow the instructions provided on the site.
- For payment by mail : simply attach the energy check to an invoice, then send everything in an envelope. Be careful not to scratch the box marked “Void if discovered”.
You also have the possibility of using this check to finance energy work, such as the installation of a heat pump, among others.
What is the expiration date?
Be careful not to lose track of time passing, because your 2023 energy check is only valid until March 31, 2024. Remember to use it before this date, because after this it will no longer be possible. He will be lost!