learn about the new rules on basic tariffs for greater protection and installments
With the increases of 1 January that almost doubled gas and electricity prices in six months, a very heavy period is opening up for families on the inflationary and cost of living front, with even more severe consequences for low and low incomes. medium-low to which the recent economic interventions of the government, implemented in the budget law, find it difficult to dare a meaningful response. Federconsumatori’s request, in order to avoid the worsening of the crisis, is to provide for a short additional social allocations and to intervene against speculation. Citizens have the right not to be left alone when it comes to essential goods and services such as gas and electricity. In this sense goes also the interventions to avoid detachments, strongly advanced by the consumer associations of Emilia Romagna to the Regional Council. With a view to stemming the situation, two government measures, perhaps due to the holidays and the pandemic situation, were poorly received by public opinion. The first concerns the extension for a further year, until 31 December 2023, of the higher protection contracts, that is, with tariffs administered by the Energy Authority (ARERA). As demonstrated by the Authority, in recent years, the higher protection tariffs have in any case controlled a market that does not offer any real advantages for consumers. Federconsumatori believes that in the next two years a real reform of the system should be prepared, giving real guarantees to users. In the meantime, it is important to inform citizens who still have tariffs with higher protection contracts that, for the next two years, have no obligation (as on the contrary very often sellers ask to push them to sign a new contract), to switch to the free market. This is obviously a possible choice but which must be carefully considered, in order not to end up with an even higher bill. Secondly, this extension gives the possibility, for those who have contracts expiring on the free market, to be able to re-enter the one of greater protection. The second act concerns the payment in installments of gas and electricity bills. As clarified by ARERA, the payment in installments is not automatic but must be requested by the user. Against the payment of the bill in the period 1 January – 30 April 2022, the user must notify the user, together with the reminder or the formal notice, of the possibility of using the installment payment. If the latter does not expressly adhere to the request, the manager initiates the normal procedures that can lead to the suspension of the furniture and which are triggered even in the event of non-compliance with the installment plan. The interest-free installment plan provides for the payment of 50% of the debt with the first installment. The remaining amount will be divided into installments of the same amount that will be debited with the frequency of ordinary billing. The maximum number of possible installments is equal to the number of invoices that the manager will issue in the following 10 months. Managers have the right to apply more flexible rules for users in difficulty, who can ask for the assistance of a protection association. The request that Federconsumatori addresses to all managers, primarily IREN and HERA, which are widespread and have roots in Emilia Romagna, goes in this direction.
Cs Federconsumatori Rimini
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