Help with high energy prices

To help people with their energy costs there is a one-off energy allowance. The Energietoeslag 2023 is there for a larger group of residents. You did not get the energy allowance automatically? And you think you might be eligible for the allowance? Apply for it yourself. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2024.

Read (in Dutch) about who will get the allowance, what the amount is and when you can apply for the allowance on the page Begin link: Energietoeslag aanvragen, end link. .

Have you received the energy allowance and have you already taken steps to save energy? But you are unable to pay your bills? See if you can get a contribution towards your energy costs from the Begin external link: Temporary Energy Emergency Fund(External link), end external link.. And otherwise you can perhaps apply for Begin external link: special assistance(External link), end external link. (bijzondere bijstand) (in Dutch).

Prevent your energy supplier from temporarily shutting off your gas and electricity if you are unable to pay your energy bill. Request a payment scheme or debt assistance for this. Read more on the Begin external link: website of the Government of the Netherlands(External link), end external link..

Are you experiencing financial worries or difficulties? Make an appointment with the Helpdesk Geldzaken (Help desk on money matters). You can visit more than 30 locations to get answers to your questions and advice. You can phone the Helpdesk Geldzaken on telephone number (070) 353 61 88. Read more on the website of the Begin link: Helpdesk Geldzaken, end link.  (in Dutch).

Do you have a low income? You may be able to use the Ooievaars measures. Look at all of the measures on the page Begin link: Overview of Ooievaars measures, end link. .

Also see: Begin link: When are you eligible for Ooievaars measures, end link. (in Dutch)

Yes. At the end of January 2024 the Temporary Energy Emergency Fund opened for the 2nd time in order to help households with a lower income and a high energy bill.

Do you want to learn more about saving energy, the energy allowance or support? Look at the Begin external link: website of Geldfit(External link), end external link. or call Geldfit for free on tel. 0800-8115.

There is an energy allowance for 2023. More information can be found on the page Begin link: Energietoeslag aanvragen, end link. (in Dutch).

If you are unable to pay the rent, there is a risk that you will have to move out of your home. This is an extremely worrying and threatening situation. Do you have this problem? If so, call the SZW customer service as quickly as possible on tel. (070) 353 75 00.

It is not a good idea to cancel your energy contract if you are unable to pay the bill. Because if you cancel the contract, you will not have any electricity and gas anymore. And that means no heat and hot water. In the winter you can develop health issues due to the cold. And when you have to start a new contract, you will pay connection fees.

Would you like to find out what you can do? Contact the Helpdesk Geldzaken. Call tel. (070) 353 61 88 or make an appointment at a helpdesk in your neighbourhood via Begin link: Helpdesk Geldzaken, end link. .

This is allowed, but only if you do not make any arrangements with your energy company on how you are going to pay. People who still need to pay will get 3 payment reminders from their energy company. If you do not take any action after the payment reminders, your energy company is allowed to cancel your contract. Read more on the Begin external link: website of the Government of the Netherlands(External link), end external link..

For tips, small and large measures, subsidies, (free) deals and advice, go to:

• Begin external link: Wegwijzer energie besparen(External link), end external link. (Duurzame Stad Den Haag)
• Begin external link: Quick money-saving tips(External link), end external link. (Milieu Centraal)

Or for help and advice contact Begin external link: Hou van je Huis(External link), end external link..

Special assistance is an allowance for everybody aged 21 years and older who is facing necessary and unexpected costs and has an income at or around the level of income support. It concerns costs which you are unable to pay in another way. The municipality will check every application to see whether there is a special or threatening situation. Read more on the page Begin link: Bijzondere bijstand, end link. (in Dutch).

Do you have a business and do you have a lower turnover due to the energy crisis? You could perhaps get a Begin link: Bbz benefit or credit, end link.  (financial support for entrepreneurs, in Dutch) from the municipality. You can read how you can (get help to) save on energy or make your home more sustainable on the website Begin external link: Duurzame stad Den Haag(External link), end external link.. You can also contact the Begin link: Ondernemersportaal, end link. .

Students have no right to an energy allowance in The Hague. Do you have money worries because of the high prices for energy and groceries? Perhaps you can apply for the Begin external link: Temporary Energy Emergency Fund(External link), end external link.. Contact the Helpdesk Geldzaken (Help desk on money matters). You will get personal advice, for example on how you can save. And whether you have the right to an allowance. Call (070) 353 61 88 or visit a Begin link: Helpdesk Geldzaken, end link. .

Energy suppliers are again offering the possibility to have a fixed contract. With a fixed contract you get a fixed rate for a cubic metre (m3) of gas and a kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electrical energy for 1 or more years. This way you know how much you will be paying for the entire length of the contract.

With a variable contract there is no fixed rate. The energy company can raise the rate every 3 months or every half year. But also lower it if the price decreases.

It is difficult to decide which contract would be better for you. Because there is no way of knowing whether the energy price is going to rise or fall. If the energy prices increase, a fixed contract is more advantageous. You will continue to pay the rate you got locked into. But if you want to terminate a fixed contract earlier, for example because you want to switch to a cheaper rate, you have to pay an early-termination fee to your supplier.

Read more about the different energy contracts on the Begin external link: website of the Government of the Netherlands(External link), end external link..