Biznes Fakty
Heating voucher. The Ministry of Energy's new plan
The Ministry of Energy’s project proposals, outlined in the government’s agenda, include support for low-income households regarding heating costs for the latter half of 2025 and throughout 2026. This aid is designated for families whose income is at or below PLN 2,454.52 per individual.
The Ministry of Energy indicated that the intended regulation seeks to sustain assistance for economically disadvantaged households by covering a portion of the financial obligations of heating consumers toward energy companies engaged in both licensed and unlicensed heat production and distribution, due to the rising costs of heating.
Support for low-income heat consumers
„Despite a degree of stabilization in the European and global fuel and energy markets, the repercussions of the energy crisis triggered by the conflict in Ukraine continue to impact society. Heating prices have remained elevated, prompting the extension of measures to alleviate the impact of rising heating costs, first until June 30, 2024, and subsequently until June 30, 2025,” the report stated.
The Ministry of Energy believes that the analysis of the current circumstances justifies moving away from universal intervention strategies and reverting to the pre-crisis energy market operational model.
„However, the transition away from support for heating consumers must be executed in a careful manner, primarily considering the situation of the most vulnerable households, who are disproportionately affected by the surge in heating expenses. Consequently, it is proposed to establish new protective measures against high heating prices specifically targeting low-income individuals – for the latter half of 2025 and in 2026, with final reconciliation by the close of 2031,” the document stated.
Who qualifies for the heating voucher?
The Ministry suggests implementing a protective mechanism in the form of a heating voucher aimed at the most impoverished households facing steep heating expenses.
The heating voucher will be allocated to households that:
- have an income, where single-person households earn at or below PLN 3,272.69 and multi-person households earn at or below PLN 2,454.52 per person in the household,
- utilize system (network) heating,
- incur heating costs exceeding PLN 170/GJ,
- the voucher’s value will be influenced by the heating price applicable in transactions with the heating provider after July 1, 2025.
„The heating voucher will be granted based on income criteria, allowing for accurate estimation of the total costs of the system. Simultaneously, the so-called zloty-for-zloty principle will be implemented, meaning that the heating voucher will still be awarded even if the income threshold is surpassed, with the voucher amount being adjusted accordingly. The minimum disbursal for heating vouchers will be PLN 20. Amounts below PLN 20 will not be disbursed,” the statement noted.
