Electricity Supply Services in France

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1. 1. Opening an Electricity Account in France
2. 2. Getting a New Electricity Supply
3. 3. French Electricity Tariffs
4. 4. Your French Electricity Bill
5. 5. Assistance with Payment of Electricity Bills
6. 6. Changing Your Electricity Supplier
7. 7. Complaints Procedures

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5. Assistance with Your French Electricity Bills

Whether or not you use electricity to heat your home, if you are on a low income you are entitled to a reduced electricity tariff.

Those from the UK may also be eligible for the British Winter Fuel Payment

The reduced electricity tariff is called Tarif de Première Nécessité and is available to those whose income would also make them eligible for free healthcare in France through the Couverture Maladie Universelle Complémentaire (CMU-C).

The maximum annual gross income threshold to be eligible depends on household size, and is revised each year. For the period up to July 2010, for a single person the amount is €7,521, while for two people it is €11,282. For three persons it is €13,538, and for four persons €15,794.

You need to read our above page on the CMU-C to get a clearer understanding of how your income is determined.

If you meet the income criteria, then you can receive a percentage reduction in your electricity bill of 30% for one person, 40% for two or three persons, and 50% for four or more persons.

The abatement applies both to the monthly standing charges, as well as the consumption of electricity, up to a maximum of 100kWh per month. The average reduction works out at around €70 per year. This may not be a lot, but probably not to be sneered at if every penny counts.

The concession is renewable annually subject to a test of resources.

If you are in receipt of CMU-C, then your Caisse Maladie will communicate this information to EDF, who will send you forms to complete. If you are not in receipt of CMU-C, then you should contact your local EDF office, or ring freephone 0800 333 123.

British Winter Fuel Payment

If you were in receipt of this payment before you relocated to France, then you continue to be eligible.

If you were eligible in the UK, but did not apply, then you can apply from France.

If you left the UK before the age of retirement, you would not be eligible.

You need to make application to the UK Pensions Office.

The payment is £250 (2009) per year.

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Next: Changing Your Electricity Supplier

Back: Your French Electricity Bill