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Help with low income

Energy surcharge

The 2023 energy surcharge is an amount of 800 euros for residents with a low income. Did you receive social assistance benefit from the municipality of Tilburg on October 31, 2023? The money would then automatically be in your account on December 1. Have you been receiving social assistance benefits since November 1? The Work & Income department will then contact you about the energy allowance. Applications can be submitted until March 31, 2024.

Do you want to know how you can save energy yourself? Go to the page Saving and paying for energy.

Can I apply for the 2023 energy allowance?

The new conditions are known. Many households automatically received 800 euros on December 1, 2023.

  1. Do you now receive social assistance benefits from the municipality of Tilburg? Then you don't have to do anything. The energy allowance has already been paid or the Work & Income department will contact you. 
  2. Did you receive 500 euros in energy allowance in March 2023? Then we have checked your details. If you meet the new conditions, the 800 euros will be transferred on December 1, 2023.
  3. Do we not know whether you meet the new conditions or do we not know your account number? Then you will have received a letter stating how you can apply for the allowance.
  4. Are you a student? Then you get one reimbursement via the DUO, if you meet the conditions.
Apply for the energy allowance yourself

Did you not receive any money or letter at the beginning of December and can you answer these questions with 'Yes':

  1. You meet the conditions.
  2. You have not automatically received the energy allowance.
  3. You do not receive social assistance benefits (Participation Act) from the municipality of Tilburg.

Then you can apply for the energy allowance yourself (log in DigiD). Tip: first collect the documents we ask for. Then you can immediately send it at the end of the form. Further on this page you will find which documents are involved.

Applications can be submitted until March 31, 2024.

Apply for energy allowance now >

 

Conditions for energy allowance 2023

  • You live in the municipality of Tilburg.
  • You are 21 years or older.
  • You have Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit.
  • You have an income up to 120% of the social assistance standard. At the bottom of this page you can see what income that is. We do not look at assets, for example savings.
  • You pay the energy bill yourself.
  • You live on your own (possibly with partner and/or children) in a home:
    • with its own address
    • with its own door where you enter.
    • with its own kitchen, toilet and bathroom. You do not share this with other households.
No right
  • You study. Students can receive compensation through DUO.
  • You are homeless and/or only have a postal address.
  • You live in an institution and pay no energy costs. For example, you live in a care, rehabilitation or nursing institution or an institution for sheltered or assisted living. You can apply for energy allowance if you live in an institution and pay your energy costs yourself.
Also useful to know
  • One energy surcharge per address.
  • The energy allowance does not count as income. in case of benefits or allowances.

With what income can I apply for the energy allowance?

You are entitled to the energy allowance if you meet the conditions and have an income up to 120% of the social assistance level.

Energy surcharge Income table as of January 1, 2024 (120%)
Your situation Your age Net monthly income
excluding holiday pay
Single 21 years to state pension € 1.463,57
from state pension € 1.625,37
Single parent* 21 years to state pension € 1.881,73
from state pension € 1.982,56
Married/Cohabiting 21 years to state pension € 2.090,81
from state pension € 2.202,84

*) You are a single parent if you have children up to the age of 18 living at home. You cannot derive any rights from these amounts. The municipality calculates whether you are entitled to the energy allowance.

How do I calculate my income for the energy allowance?

To calculate your income (and that of your partner), add all income for one month together.

Add up

  • Income from work/benefits (without holiday allowance)
  • Pension, partner alimony/maintenance contribution
  • Other income
  • As a single parent, do you receive a child-related budget? Then you count €290 of the child budget as income. The amount above that is not.

Don't count

  • Energy allowance or a contribution for energy costs from the national emergency fund
  • Rent allowance, healthcare allowance or housing allowance
  • Special wellfare
  • Child support
  • Part of a Child Budget: €290 is counted as income, the amount above that is not.
  • Personal budget with which you purchase care
  • Travel expenses

Does your income change every month?
The municipality then looks at the average income of the last 3 months. Add up your net income (without holiday allowance) from the last 3 months. Divide it by 3. Is the average income equal to or lower than allowed (view the table with amounts on this page)? Then you can apply for the energy allowance. The municipality can request income information afterwards.

Do you have your own company or do you not work for a boss?
The municipality then looks at the average income for 2022. So take your annual income for 2022 and divide it by 12 months. Is the average equal to or lower than permitted? Then you can apply for the energy allowance. The municipality can request income information afterwards.

Apply for the energy allowance

Can you answer these questions with 'Yes'?

  1. You meet the conditions
  2. You have not automatically received the energy allowance
  3. You do not receive social assistance benefits (Participation Act) from the municipality of Tilburg

Then you can use the apply for energy allowance yourself. Tip! First collect the documents we ask for. Then you can immediately send it at the end of the form. The documents involved are stated on this page.

Applications can be submitted until March 31, 2024.

Would you like help applying for the energy allowance?

I am a student. Will I also receive the 2023 energy allowance?

No, students are not entitled to the 2023 energy surcharge from municipalities. Not even students who received an energy allowance in 2022. That is stated in the new law. If you meet the conditions, you will receive a one-off amount of 400 euros via DUO. Read more about this on the DUO website.

Other arrangement for paying the energy bill?

Tilburg Support Fund (TOF)

Are you experiencing serious financial problems due to rising energy costs? You may be able to receive compensation through the Tilburg Support Fund (TOF). The fund offers tailor-made solutions for households that are in need due to higher energy bills. For the conditions and how to apply, go to www.contourdetwern.nl/steunsfonds-tilburg/

Temporary Energy Emergency Fund (from January)

The government has decided to reopen the National Energy Emergency Fund in January. This is for households with a low or lower middle income who spend 8% to 10% of their gross income on their energy bill. The Emergency Fund therefore looks at the amount of the energy bill compared to the income.

  • The Emergency Fund will be open from January 22.
  • Applications can be submitted until March 31, 2024.
More information

For information, requests or the situation check, go to Temporary Energy Emergency Fund

I need financial help because I can't pay my utility bill.

Ask for help if you can't pay your energy bill. For example, by making a payment agreement with the energy company or by contacting Debt Assistance. More about debt assistance.