What is the Electric and thermal bonus?
The Social Bonus is a discount mechanism in the electricity bill, established by the Spanish Government, in order to protect certain groups of economically or socially vulnerable consumers. There are currently two types of Bono Social: the Bono Social Eléctrico, which is a discount on the electricity bill for vulnerable consumers, and the Bono Social Térmico, which is aid for vulnerable consumers who have already been assigned the Bono Social Eléctrico, and which is applied to offset the cost of gas, for heating, hot water or cooking, for example. This discount has an expiration date, although it can be renewed and extended, but it is currently valid until December 31, 2023.
Who can apply for the Social Bonus and how can it be renewed?
The Social Bonus can be applied for by any natural person who, as a holder, has contracted the PVPC (Voluntary Price for Small Consumers), with contracted power of less than 10kW and who is within one of the types of consumers established by law.
If a person is currently a beneficiary of the Social Bonus, he/she has the right to continue to be entitled to receive it until it expires. At that time, if he/she continues to meet the requirements to be considered a vulnerable/severe vulnerable consumer and does not belong to the large family group, it will be renewed for a period of two more years and so on, as long as he/she continues to be in a situation of vulnerability.
Types of consumers
The discount applied may vary according to different characteristics that differentiate the different categories that exist. These range from 65% discount on the energy bill, as a VULNERABLE consumer, 80% as a SEVERE VULNERABLE consumer, or Social Bonus of Energy Justice with a 40% discount. According to this, the types of electricity tariffs that exist in relation to the Electric and Thermal Social Bonus are:
Vulnerable Consumer, you will get a 65% discount on the Energy of your electricity bill.
Severe Vulnerable Consumer, you will have a discount of 80%, which can be obtained, for example, if you are a large family or single parent, with a high degree of Disability or Dependency Grade III.
Consumer at Risk of Social Exclusion, which must meet the requirements to be severely vulnerable and also be attended by the social services of a Public Administration that finances
services of a Public Administration that finance at least 50% of the amount of their PVPC bill. In the case of impossibility to pay, the electricity supply cannot be interrupted.
On the other hand, there is the Social Bonus de Justicia Energética, which includes the temporary application of the Energy Justice Social Bonus to low-income households, particularly affected by the energy crisis. This measure, which is temporary and will be in force until December 31, 2023, involves the application of a 40% discount on the PVPC.
How to apply?
PTo apply for the Electric Social Bonus, you must have a supply contract with one of the reference suppliers, since they are the ones that have the obligation to offer and finance the Bono Social.
These suppliers are the following: Endesa Energía XXI, Curenergía, GAS & POWER, Baser, Régsiti, Comercializador de Referencia Energético, Teramelcor and Energía Ceuta,
Teramelcor and Energía Ceuta XXI.
