Energy cards ready to use
Starting this Monday, vulnerable persons in Romania can use energy cards to pay their bills
Mihai Pelin, 21.02.2023, 13:50
In Romania, the energy cards offered by the Government to people with
low incomes have started to be used to pay bills. The first installment of this
state aid has a value of 700 lei (approx. 140 euros), just like the second,
which will follow in September. The card allows beneficiaries to pay current or
outstanding bills for: electricity, thermal energy in a centralized system, LPG
(liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder for heating, gas, wood for fire, fuel oil,
pellets and other materials only for heating (geothermal water, coal, sawdust
briquettes). In the case of those who live in blocks of flats, current or overdue bills can be paid.
The operation can be done at home, through the postman, who is equipped with a special electronic device, at the post office or through the online application made available by the Romanian Post. The beneficiary needs an energy card valid on the date on which the payment is made, an ID, the supporting documents proving the current or outstanding debt to the energy supplier or, as the case may be, to the tenants’ association: invoices, certificate for debt validation, tax receipts.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, the cards would have already reached 1.7 million vulnerable people.
The lists of beneficiaries were drawn up by the Ministry of Labor, but it must be specified that the state aid is granted per place of consumption, and not per individual. Thus, in households with several inhabitants, the incomes of all the members are collected and divided by their number, and in order to benefit from the energy card the result must be less than 2,000 lei (approx. 400 euros). As the total number of consumption points that would fall under these conditions is estimated at 2.8 million, the difference of over one million cards would be distributed as the inconclusive situations are clarified.
On the other hand, in some cases, according to the Ministry of Labour, there are people with incomes below 2,000 lei, but who live with family members or other roommates who earn much higher amounts, from various sources, and they will not receive these cards. Authorities have given assurances that such issues will be solved. The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Boloş, told people not to worry, because there is no risk of not receiving the cards, if they are entitled to them, according to the law.
There is no need for anyone to rush, people have all the time to pay off their debts through the help provided by the Government from European money. The lists are being updated, cards will be issued for them too and they will also have time until the summer to use up the first installment, the minister also said. The energy cards, both for the first installment and for the second installment, can be used until the end of the year. They cannot be sold or donated, and Romanians who try to break these rules risk fines of thousands of lei. (MI)
