Families will start receiving from Monday the energy benefits in compensation for the increases in utility tariffs caused by rising international oil prices, as announced in last November’s budget.
A one-person household will get €55, a two-person household €80, a three-person household €105, a four-person household €130, a five-person household €155, and a six-person household €180. Each family will be receiving €30 and an additional €25 for every person in the household.
A total of €11 million will be distributed to families, one million euros more than that announced in the budget because since then the number of families which qualified for the benefit has risen. In fact, the government gave families the opportunity of adjusting their position until the end of last May. Families who did not register the number of residents in each household cannot benefit from the allowances now.
Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech announced this in a press conference given at the ministry yesterday.
The government felt that consumers should be given incentives for consuming water and electricity responsibly and for reducing waste. Families who consume less than 10,000 units of water and electricity will be receiving the allowance.
In addition, there are 28,000 families, which are receiving energy benefits. These families were deemed as those who needed an alleviation of their energy costs.
The total number of families who are receiving energy benefits and energy allowances is up to 97 per cent of all Maltese families, Mr Fenech said.
“The energy tariffs reform left a positive mark on the environment because wastage was reduced. The government took some wise decisions by implementing initiatives such as that of the eco-reductions under which one can save up to 25 per cent of the energy consumption. This and other initiatives that encourage the use of alternative sources of energy brought about desired results,” commented the minister.
For further information about the energy allowances, one may call on telephone number 188.