Vienna increases targeted support to fight energy poverty – EURACTIV Italy
Vienna is expanding the number of households eligible for a subsidy of up to € 500 to amortize the current one, and expects more than 200,000 private households to apply starting Monday.
To help families cope with rising energy costs, Vienna decided to expand the number of those who can use the Energy Plus program and increased the funds from € 6 million to € 26 million.
“The increase was necessary mainly due to the high number of Viennese people drawn out of energy poverty,” the city said.
The people most in need are being helped in a targeted way by settling the arrears with the energy suppliers, according to the necessary city councilor for social affairs, public health and sport, Peter Hacker.
Beneficiaries of the program include holders of a minimum income, housing allowance or subsidy such as unemployment benefit, emergency assistance, pension advance and retraining allowance.
Implementation is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022, when cost increases must reach consumers and most of the annual bills will have been filed.
To allow for quick processing, eligible applicants can upload applications until the end of the year, including documents such as the final open account or annual and confirmation of pending energy arrears.
In addition, Wien Energie, Austria’s largest energy supplier, has pledged not to cut electricity, gas and heat between December and February.
Meanwhile, around 650,000 Viennese households will benefit from the Vienna Energy Bonus 22 in December and receive 200 euros, according to Hacker.