The Council of Ministers The prohibition established in 2021 extended on January 28, to interrupt the basic supplies of energy and water to consumers considered vulnerable and the electric social bonus. Two measures that are part of the 29 collected in the new Omnibus decree and will now be in force until December 31. The goal? Protect the most vulnerable consumers.
But what consumers are considered vulnerable? How is the social bonus for this year and how is it requested?
As explained by the government itself, discounts on the electrical bill, originally set at 25% and 40% For vulnerable and severe vulnerable consumers, they increased exceptionally to 65% and 80% to respond to the energy crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine.
What discount will this 2025 apply?
After the extension, From January 1 until June 30, 2025, the vulnerable consumer discount will be 50%; While for the severe vulnerable, it will be 65%. From July 1, 2025 and until December 31, 2025, the discount for the vulnerable consumer will be 42.5%, and in the case of the severe vulnerable consumer, 57.5%.
As of January 1, 2026, the discount of vulnerable consumers will stabilize in 35%, and that of severe vulnerable, in 50%.
Who are considered vulnerable consumers?
According to articles 3 and 4 of Royal Decree 897/2017, in general terms, it is considered a vulnerable consumer to the head of a point of supply of electricity in their habitual home that is welcomed to the voluntary price for the small consumer (PVPC) and meets any of these requirements:
- That your income or, in case of being part of a coexistence unit, the annual joint rental of the coexistence unit to which it belongs is equal to or less than 1.5 times the public indicator of rent of multiple effects (IPREm) of 14 pays. If the coexistence unit consists of more than one person, the rental of rent with respect to the IPREM index of 14 payments will be increased by 0.3 per additional member of legal age and 0.5 for each minor.
- It has the large family title.
- That the consumer himself and, in the case of being part of a coexistence unit, all the members of the same who have income are pensioners of the social security system for retirement or permanent disability, receiving the minimum amount in force at all times for These pension classes, and do not receive other income whose annual aggregate amount exceeds 500 euros.
- That the consumer or any member of his coexistence unit is a beneficiary of the minimum vital income.
On the other hand, to be considered Severe vulnerable, in general, the consumer must have an annual income less than or equal to 50% of the threshold established for the vulnerable consumer (The requirements vary if special circumstances concur and in the case of large families and minimal pension perceptors).
And finally, it is considered a consumer at risk of social exclusion to the one who meets the requirements to be severe vulnerable and, in addition, is attended by the social services of an autonomic or local administration that finances at least 50 percent of the amount of Your bill.
How is bonus requested?
The social bonus It must be requested before a reference marketer (COR). The application has to be sent through an office (in the event that they exist), by telephone, by fax, through the Correo Directorate of the COR or by postal mail, as specified on this page of the Ministry for the Ministry for the Ministry for the Ecological transition and demographic challenge.