I can not pay bills for water, gas and electricity

Companies may not interrupt utilities in the event payments are not made when there is a risk of losing your home/residential exclusion.

Individuals or families who are at risk of losing their homes/residential exclusion have an income of less than:

• 2 times the Income Sufficiency Indicator of Catalonia (IRSC) for individuals who live alone.
• 5 times the IRSC for cohabitating individuals (more than one person).
• 3 times the IRSC for people with disabilities or with a high level of dependence.

As an exception, if the income is higher but there is an imminent risk of losing your home/residential exclusion, the social services office can be asked to assess whether such cases could fall under the status of being at risk of losing your home/residential exclusion.

If you do not meet the income requirements but someone who is affected by energy dependence (people who need assisted living machines) lives in your home, you are also entitled to guaranteed supply.

Social discount for electricity

The social electricity allowance is a discount on your electricity bill. It is applied to the regulated tariff or PVPC. If you are a beneficiary, you have four months to pay unpaid bills.

Social discount for heating

The social discount for heating is an aid programme to compensate for the heating costs incurred by the most vulnerable consumers due to the use of heating, hot water, or for cooking. All people who are entitled to the social discount for electricity are entitled to the social discount for heating.

Water bill reductions

The Catalan Water Agency has bonuses on the fee for water in domestic uses. Citizens can extend their consumption and benefit from the social tariff of the water tax.

• You have a longer period to take care of unpaid bills than other consumers. Once four months from the notification of the first payment due have elapsed, the minimum vital supply (SMV) is applicable.

• The water supply cannot be interrupted in the event that there is a person under 16 years of age in the family or if there is a person with a disability level equal to or greater than 33% or with a dependence level of II or III.

• The vital minimum supply is a social protection instrument for consumers in vulnerable situations. It guarantees a power limit of 3.5 kWh for six months.

You must contact the social services office in your municipality so they can make the appropriate arrangements with your utilities company.

You are also entitled to report an improper cut to your Municipal Consumer Information Office (OMIC) or County Consumer Information Office (OCIC)* for non-compliance with law 24/2015.