A new energy voucher for seniors can change the situation for people most exposed to high electricity and heating bills. The government announces that support will amount to up to PLN 1,200 per year. When will the first payments be made? What is worth knowing about the program rules.
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What does the new electricity and heating voucher consist of?
Table of Contents
- What does the new electricity and heating voucher consist of?
- Why is the government planning new support?
- Who is subsidized for electricity and heating?
- How much will the new energy voucher be?
- Who will handle the payments?
- When will it be possible to submit an application?
- When will the new program start?
- What instead of a subsidy in 2025?
This is a form of support for the poorest seniors in Poland. The subsidy, called an energy voucher, is intended to help people who are most affected by the rising costs of living. Thanks to it, seniors will not have to choose between heating their apartment and buying medicines. In previous editions, similar support was provided to over 2 million households.
Why is the government planning new support?
New system is intended to be a response to EU regulations on CO₂ emissions. This is about ETS2 – the so-called heating tax, which will introduce additional costs for households. Poland is trying to delay the entry into force of the regulation, but at the same time it is preparing a shielding system to protect citizens against sudden price increases.
Who is subsidized for electricity and heating?
The program will be addressed to seniors who meet specific criteria:
- women over 60 years of age and men from 65 years of age,
- the income per person in the household cannot exceed PLN 2,525 gross per month,
- is required apartment in a building with an individual heat source based on fossil fuels (e.g. coal, heating oil).
How much will the new energy voucher be?
The average support height is expected to reach PLN 1,200 per year. The money will be paid in quarterly installments, i.e. approximately PLN 300 every three months. The subsidies are intended to actually relieve the bills of households most exposed to energy price increases.
Who will handle the payments?
He will handle the subsidies Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). This is where seniors will submit applications for benefits, and officials will consider them and verify their income.
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When will it be possible to submit an application?
The current call for applications is closed. New forms will appear only after the official announcement of the start of the program, i.e. in two years at the earliest.
When will the new program start?
Although initially there was talk of 2025, the government confirmed that it was realistic launch is scheduled for 2027. Only then will the first payments appear, a the entire system is to operate for a minimum of 5 years.
What instead of a subsidy in 2025?
Since the program will not start in 2025, the government has decided to extend the freezing of electricity prices. The maximum energy price for households is PLN 500/MWh until the end of the year. This is a transitional solution intended to protect against price spikes until the subsidy system is fully operational.
At the same time, the introduction of a new benefit – a heating voucher – was announced. It is intended to cover households using district heating, i.e. heating networks in blocks of flats and multi-family buildings. This support will be directed mainly to people with lower incomes who are most affected by rising heating costs. Detailed rules for granting a voucher can be found in the article below.
