About 90 percent of those entitled to the energy allowance of 1,300 euros also requested it. Minister Carola Schouten (Poverty Policy) said this in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
According to the minister, this can be seen from the data of the municipalities. According to her, this figure is very large. Other poverty and debt schemes tend to reach fewer people.
The money is a compensation for high energy costs. The energy allowance is intended for people who have to live on a maximum of 120 percent of the social minimum.
Several parties, including SP, PvdA and PVV, consider that this percentage should be increased. In this way, more people should be able to benefit from the energy allowance. This has already happened in several municipalities, for example in Rotterdam.
Minister Schouten is not in favor of a general increase in the percentage. According to her, the cabinet has chosen this percentage because it is in line with the municipalities’ poverty policy. That is why the energy supplement could be introduced so quickly.
The government has set up other programs for people who earn a little more, such as increased health care and rent allowance.
