The 2025 finance law introduces notable changes to the energy voucher system, impacting over 5 million low-income households. A new eligibility process will cross-reference reference tax income with electricity meter identifiers to better identify beneficiaries. A budget cut will reduce funds to 900 million euros, with payment credits down by 22%. Additionally, vouchers will be distributed later than usual, starting in June, and recipients must now use them solely for energy bills, excluding renovation projects.
Key Changes in the 2025 Finance Law Affecting the Energy Voucher
The 2025 finance law has received the green light from the Constitutional Council, bringing significant updates to the energy voucher system, which benefits over 5 million low-income households annually. This article outlines the crucial changes you need to be aware of.
With the official passage of the finance law, the energy voucher, which varies between 48 and 277 euros, will undergo several modifications aimed at refining the benefits for eligible families.
New Eligibility Identification Process
The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment for the energy voucher program. In the past, eligible households received their vouchers automatically, thanks to the administration’s use of reference tax income (RFR) and housing tax data to assess household composition. However, the elimination of housing tax led to approximately 1 million households being overlooked. Although a temporary counter was established until December 31, many eligible families were left without assistance.
In 2025, a revised strategy will be implemented to identify beneficiaries. While the RFR will continue to play a role, it will now be cross-referenced with the delivery point (PDL) number, a unique identifier for electricity meters, ensuring a more accurate identification process.
Challenges Ahead for Beneficiaries
Despite the improvements, there remains a concern about forgotten households. A new counter is set to be introduced, similar to the one in 2024. The effectiveness of broader outreach and initiatives will be crucial in ensuring that all eligible individuals can access this vital aid.
Additionally, the finance law includes a budget reduction. For 2025, the allocated funds for the energy voucher stand at 900 million euros, but payment credits will decrease by 22% to 615 million euros. This adjustment stems from an expected decline in the number of beneficiaries due to changes in the allocation process, which may temporarily reduce access in the initial year of its implementation.
Moreover, recipients should prepare for a delayed distribution of the energy vouchers. Traditionally dispatched in April, the 2025 vouchers will likely be sent out later, anticipated to begin in June, as indicated by Françoise Thiebault.
Lastly, it’s important to note a significant change regarding the use of energy vouchers. Recipients will now be required to use the vouchers strictly for energy bills—covering gas, electricity, wood, or fuel oil. The previous option to apply the voucher towards energy renovation projects has been removed. However, this adjustment is not expected to impact many beneficiaries; in 2023, only 0.02% of vouchers were utilized for renovation purposes.