The joint ordinance regulating the procedures and the requirements for the access and maintenance of the social electricity tariff for economically vulnerable users was published today in the Official Journal. The legislation was established by Decree-law no.138-A/2010 of December, recently amended by Decree-Law no.172/2014 of November 14.

In order to extend the scope of this measure, it was decided that the social tariff will also cover all those who receive child benefits or social pensions as well as all individuals who, among users of standard low-voltage energy system, have an annual income below the maximum annual income (provisionally set at 4,800 Euros). The legislation also provides that the reference amount may be added 2,400 Euros for each of the cohabitants in the same tax domicile, up to a maximum of 10, who do not have any source of income.

It was also established an alternative procedure for the submission of the request to be made by potential beneficiaries, which temporary relieves the need for crossing data between energy suppliers, the competent Social Security services - the Azores Social Security Institute - and Tax Services. Beneficiaries can promote the contact with these entities, if they wish so, and submit to the electricity company a sworn declaration certifying the allocation of social benefits or that their income is below the legally defined maximum annual income.

The discount in the social electricity tariff will increase from 10.3 to 13.8% on the monthly energy consumption by economically vulnerable users.

Currently, there are 1,450 beneficiaries of this social tariff in the Azores while there were only 486 beneficiaries in 2012, representing an increase an increase of about 200%.
With these amendments, it is expected that 15,000 potential beneficiaries in the Region may have quicker access to the benefits provided by the social tariff.

The Government of the Azores has recently developed a programme with the Municipal Councils, Village Councils and Social Security services with the aim of increasing the number of beneficiaries; the latter grew 30.2% in the last four months.

In order to benefit from the social electricity tariff, users shouldEDA - Eletricidade dos Açores and identify themselves as holders of an electricity supply contract with an installed power up to 6.9 kW. In turn, the company is responsible for the confirmation/validation of the information and other formalities.