Who is the 2023 Gas Bonus aimed at?
Wrap up: What do we know so far about the 2023 Gas Bonus?
During the months of October, November, and December , the peak season for gas heating, families will be able to receive a subsidy to help them reduce high heating bills . This measure will be aimed specifically at Italy’s coldest regions and will come into effect when gas prices exceed a certain threshold.
The implementing decree for the measure has not yet been published, so we don’t know many of the details regarding the requirements and procedures for accessing the benefit. However, we already know important information, such as the methods of disbursement of the grant and other specifics.
In this in-depth article, we’ll gather all the confirmed information we have so far regarding the 2023 Gas Bonus and provide some tips to prepare for upcoming updates.
Regulatory framework
The 2023 gas bonus is governed by Legislative Decree No. 34 of May 30, 2023, which was converted into law in May 2023. This decree established a series of “urgent measures to support families and businesses in purchasing electricity and natural gas, as well as in health and tax compliance.”
This decree includes the so-called strengthening of the social bonus for electricity and gas: a series of concessions relating to electricity and gas supply rates for residential customers (specific support measures have been identified for businesses) who are in disadvantaged economic conditions.
Article 3 of the decree provides for a fixed contribution in the event of high gas prices to be paid in the months of October, November, and December 2023. What is conventionally called the New Gas Bonus is precisely this fixed contribution scheduled for the last quarter of 2023.
The measure requires a further Implementing Decree that will specify all the details of the incentive measure (the amount of the contribution for each municipality or region, the access methods, and the eligibility requirements). However, it should be clarified that this does not mean the incentive has yet to be confirmed. The measure is already law ; the Implementing Decree only needs to specify the access and disbursement methods.
There is a further point in the Legislative Decree that needs clarification: the measure provides for a fixed contribution in the event of high gas prices : the contribution will therefore be paid only if the market price of gas exceeds a certain threshold, specified within the decree itself.
While we wait for the Implementation Decree to learn the technical details, let’s analyze all the information we have so far, both those already confirmed and those that need to be confirmed, so we’re not caught off guard.
What is the 2023 Gas Bonus?
The 2023 Gas Bonus is financial assistance provided to families (domestic users) who may face significant costs due to rising natural gas prices.
The bonus will consist of a fixed-rate contribution paid as compensation . This means that the user will receive a discount credited to the bill following the applicable period.
Users eligible for the benefit will receive a fixed contribution , varying depending on their climate zone (citizens living in colder regions will receive a higher contribution) but completely independent of consumption . The government had initially proposed a tariff mechanism modulated by the number of family members and consumption; in other words, in an attempt to promote energy saving , the proposal tended to reward those who consume less, charging more to those with higher consumption. This initiative, however, has been abandoned, and the expected contribution for the 2023 Gas Bonus will depend on the region of residence , could depend on the number of family members , and will not depend in any way on consumption .
The benefit will be paid during the coldest winter months – October, November, and December 2023 – when gas consumption for heating is highest, but will only be triggered if daily natural gas prices on the market exceed the threshold of 45 euros/MWh .
The measure is an extension of the social utility bill bonus for families (in effect until September 30, 2023), but has not yet been regulated by the Ministry of the Environment. Details on the regional contribution amount or the requirements to access the benefit are not yet known, but we already know who will be eligible and how to apply. While we await further specifications from the Ministry, we outline all the information and procedures that have already been confirmed.
Who is the 2023 Gas Bonus aimed at?
The 2023 Gas Bonus is specifically designed for families facing rising energy costs . Details on the requirements for accessing the benefit have not yet been confirmed; we are awaiting the Ministry of Finance’s decree, which will determine the benefit thresholds and specific requirements.
The Social Bill Bonus, valid until September 30, 2023, is reserved for families with an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) of less than €15,000 and for large families with an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) of less than €30,000. This does not mean that the 2023 Gas Bonus will have the same ISEE requirements; on the contrary, there are currently no income limits , and the only confirmed parameter is the increase in gas costs. As soon as this information becomes available, we will inform our readers; simply keep an eye on our website for updates.
How to apply for the grant
The application procedures for this benefit have not yet been disclosed. We will publish all the information as soon as it is released with the publication of the implementing provision.
While the access procedures are similar to those provided for the 2023 Social Bonus, of which the Gas Bonus is an extension, eligible users will not have to specifically request the subsidy on their bills. The Social Bonus has been automatically granted to all eligible households. Since the basic requirement is based on the ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator), it is important to note that only those who submit the DSU (Single Substitute Declaration) annually, thus obtaining the ISEE certification, can expect to receive the benefit.
If this option is confirmed, it will be useful for you to know that obtaining the ISEE certification is very simple: simply complete and submit the DSU, the Single Substitute Declaration , from which you obtain the ISEE certification.
The DSU can be completed directly from the INPS website. Alternatively, you can visit any CAF center and receive assistance completing it.
It’s also possible to obtain a pre-filled ISEE on the Revenue Agency website, which is just as valid as the one following the DSU for obtaining benefits.
Wrap up: What do we know so far about the 2023 Gas Bonus?
We know for certain that the contribution on gas bills:
- will be paid from 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2023 ;
- it will be paid as a compensation , that is, as a discount on the bill following the one relating to the relevant period;
- it will only be triggered if natural gas prices exceed the threshold of 45 euros/MWh;
- the amount of the contribution will depend on the region you belong to ;
- The amount of the contribution may depend on the number of family members, but will not be tied in any way to consumption.
However, the following information still needs to be confirmed:
- The income requirements for accessing the benefit: it appears that the 2023 Gas Bonus is not tied to income, but we are awaiting confirmation from the Implementation Decree.
- How to access the grant : the bonus should be automatically granted to those eligible, but we are awaiting confirmation from the Implementation Decree.
The 2023 Gas Bonus is an important measure to support families should natural gas prices rise . Although the benefit has been confirmed, the Implementation Decree has not yet been published, and we are awaiting details on how to access it. Continue to monitor this site to stay updated on all the latest news.
