Delay in payment of energy allowance to residents of Amsterdam | Amsterdam
Amsterdam is lagging behind in processing the applications for the energy surcharge. 75,000 minimum income households have automatically received the allowance on their account. But of the 14,000 minimum wages that have to apply themselves, about 9,000 households are still waiting for a decision.
Alderman Marjolein Moorman (Poverty) writes this in response to written questions from D66. The municipality exceeds the statutory term of eight weeks, which stands for this type of application.
The group that is still waiting for an answer consists of people who are not yet in the picture with the municipality, but who believe they are entitled to the allowance because they have a low income and little wealth. They could register from May to also receive the 800 euro energy surcharge.
Staff shortage
Moorman is disappointed with the delay, especially because it concerns money ‘that people desperately need’. The reason for the delays is a shortage of employees and the short period in which the thousands of applications came in. She says colleagues from other departments are now stepping in to make up for the arrears.
The energy surcharge has been mentioned by the central government as a compensation for the higher energy costs in 2022. It is then up to the municipalities to pay this out. In Amsterdam, an estimated 85,000 households are included in calculations for the allowance. Up to now, 800 euros has been paid out to households, this autumn another 500 euros will be added. The municipality expects to be able to provide an answer within eight weeks from October.
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