New edition for an old bonus: Those who missed out on the 150 euro energy voucher now get a second chance to get it after all.
The energy voucher was already issued to Austrian households at the end of April and beginning of May 2022. It was intended to curb the rapidly rising energy prices – around 2.6 million vouchers were submitted and reduce the annual electricity bill by 150 euros. However, approximately four million vouchers were sent out – and many citizens probably forgot to redeem the voucher. Or it was probably lost.
However, as announced by the Ministry of Finance, these sufferers can now rejoice. In addition, there are two new dates to note: Until October 31, 2022, new energy vouchers can be applied for, which can then be redeemed until March 31, 2023. A voucher can be redeemed at the post office or on the Internet for each household with a valid electricity supply contract, provided that the maximum income limit is not exceeded.
The vouchers can be reordered at www.oesterreich.gv.at/energiekostenausgleich. However, there are some restrictions on redeeming them. For example, the income limit for redemption for single-person households is 55,000 euros annually. For non-self-employed persons (e.g., blue-collar workers, white-collar workers), this corresponds to a gross monthly income of around 5,670 euros. For multi-person households, the income limit is 110,000 euros per year.
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner has already issued an urgent warning against the misuse of the energy voucher: “We will, of course, check this, and we will check every case! My appeal is so that it can run as simply and uncomplicatedly as possible, that anyone who is not eligible does not use this voucher.” And what if they do? “Otherwise, we will find out and will then, of course, reclaim the money.”
- source: heute.at/picture: hp
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