Run on energy allowance crashes emergency fund's website

Since Tuesday, low-income households can apply for support in paying their energy bills. The demand for the subsidy is so high that the energy emergency fund’s website has crashed several times, ANP reported. There are many complaints on social media from people unable to log in.

The Cabinet allocated 56.3 million euros for the Temporary Energy Emergency Fund. For six months, qualifying households will receive a portion of their energy bill reimbursed.

The fund can help about 100,000 households. Some 180,000 had indicated that they were interested in the financial assistance. “We are going to see who qualifies for it,” a spokesperson for the fund told NOS.

Households with a gross income of up to 200 percent of the social minimum, including holiday pay, are eligible for support. For a single income, this amounts to 3,400 euros. For a multi-income household, it is 4,740 euros. Households must also spend 8 to 10 percent of their income on energy in order to qualify.

A previous study by TNO found that approximately a fifth of Dutch households spend more than 8 percent of their income on energy. Low-income households with poorly insulated homes are hit the hardest.