Energy grants: who, how much, how?

The inflationary context that has affected France for almost a year is a consequence of the COvid crisis and the conflict in Ukraine.

This has had a significant impact on electricity and gas prices. The government has therefore put in place accompanying measures for individuals and businesses, to limit the deleterious effects of this price rise on the economy.

Here's a quick rundown of the assistance on offer:

For 2022 invoices

Tariff shield

The Tariff Shield is a system designed to limit the rise in electricity prices to 4% in 2022.

It is intended for very small businesses with :
Fewer than 10 employees.
Sales of less than two million euros.
An electricity meter with a rating of less than 36 kVA.

To take advantage of it, contact your energy supplier.

Guichet d'aide au paiement des factures de gaz et électricité for your 2022 bills

This assistance in paying electricity and gas bills of up to 4 million euros is available to companies if :
- the price of energy over the period in question has risen by 50% compared with the average price paid in 2021.
- their energy expenditure during the period for which assistance is requested represents more than 3% of their sales in 2021.

For invoices from September to October 2022, you can apply for assistance from November 19.
For invoices from November to December 2022, you can apply for assistance from January 16, 2023.

To check your eligibility, use theaid simulator on the impots.gouv.fr website
To apply for aid: go to the impots.gouv. fr website and fill in an application form with :
- your energy bills for the period concerned and your 2021 bills
- your bank details
- the aid calculation file provided on the tax site
- a declaration on your honor attesting that your company meets the conditions and that the information declared is accurate.

For assistance with this process:
call0806 000 245 ( free service + cost of call) or
send a message viathe secure messaging system in your professional space (I have another question / I have another request), starting your message with the words "Aide Gaz Électricité".

For 2023 invoices

Electricity price limited to €280/MWh

This guaranteed tariff is applicable from the January 2023 invoice to very small businesses that renewed their electricity supply contract in the second half of 2022 and do not benefit from the regulated sales tariff.

To take advantage of this offer, complete this certificate stating that you wish to renegotiate your electricity contract, and send it to your electricity supplier.

Tariff shield

This will keep electricity price rises to 15% from February ^1, 2023 until December 31, 2023.

It is intended for very small businesses with :
Fewer than 10 employees.
Sales of less than two million euros.
An electricity meter with a rating of less than 36 kVA.

To benefit, send your energy supplier this sworn statement of eligibility.

Electric shock absorber

Until December 31, 2023, it protects all companies:
- with fewer than 250 employees
- not eligible for the tariff shield
- with an electricity meter rating above 36 kVA.

The aid is then incorporated directly into your electricity bill.

Guichet d'aide au paiement des factures de gaz et électricité for your 2023 bills

It is possible to combine the electricity buffer and the payment assistance office.

Your company is eligible if :
- Energy expenses represent 3% of sales in 2021 after taking the cushioning into account.
Ex: Energy expenditure in September/October 2022 must represent more than 3% of sales in September/October 2021.
- your electricity bill (before reduction due to electricity cushioning) has risen by more than 50% compared with the average price paid in 2021.

Check your eligibility for gas and electricity assistance using theassistance simulator onthe impots.gouv.fr website.

The helpdesk is open during specific periods.
For your invoices for :
- September/October 2022: from November 19;
- November/December 2022: from January 16, 2023 to March 31, 2023;
- January/February 2023: from March 20, 2023 to May 31, 2023;
- March/April 2023: May 17, 2023 to July 31, 2023;
- May/June 2023: from July 17, 2023 to September 30, 2023;
- July/August 2023: from September 18, 2023 to November 30, 2023;
- September/October 2023: November 20, 2023 to January 31, 2024;
- November/December 2023: from January 17, 2024 to March 31, 2024.

To check your eligibility at the counter, use theaid simulator on the impots.gouv.fr website
To apply for aid: go to the impots.gouv. fr website and fill in a file with :
- your energy bills for the period concerned and your 2021 bills
- your bank details
- the aid calculation file provided on the tax site
- a declaration on your honor attesting that your company meets the conditions and that the information declared is accurate.

For assistance with this process:
call0806 000 245 ( free service + cost of call) or
send a message viathe secure messaging system in your professional space (I have another question / I have another request), starting your message with the words "Aide Gaz Électricité".

Spreading energy bills

Energy suppliers have agreed to offer payment facilities / spread invoices over several months to VSEs and SMEs with cash-flow problems.

This measure is currently possible until the summer.

To take advantage of it, contact your energy supplier.