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Behind on energy bills? Ask Brugel for protected-customer status

In Brussels, a household with an energy debt, a formal notice from its supplier and an income under a ceiling can become a protected customer, supplied by Sibelga at a social tariff and shielded from a cut-off.

Brussels · Subject to change

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Contracts & billsLevel 1 · HabitCost: FreeA few hours

Brugel, the Brussels energy regulator, grants this regional status when all four conditions are met: you owe money to your current electricity or gas supplier, you have received a formal notice (mise en demeure) from that supplier, you live in the Brussels-Capital Region, and your household income is under the ceiling shown on Brugel's page.

While the status lasts, Sibelga becomes your supplier and bills you at a specific social tariff, and your commercial supplier's debt recovery and any cut-off are put on hold. You repay your old debt to that supplier under a payment plan you agree with it, and you pay Sibelga's bills. You cannot change supplier during this time. The status is temporary: once the debt is paid off you return to your commercial supplier.

To apply, fill in Brugel's online form and attach every page of your supplier's latest formal notice, a recent household composition certificate (or a sworn statement if you cannot get one) and proof of your household's income. This regional status is separate from the federal social tariff, which some households receive automatically.

Details

ImpactIndirect · This saves no energy by itself: it is a rule, a service, a contract, or a health or safety item. How we rate impact
Estimated savingLowers bills through a social tariff while you repay your debt; saves no energy itself. (confidence: medium)
Who actsYou (tenant)
Needs landlord's agreementNo
TypeRules explained

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Sources

  1. Statut Client protégé (in French) · Brugel (official source) · checked on
    Backs: the four conditions (debt with your supplier, formal notice, living in Brussels, income under a ceiling); Sibelga supplies at a social tariff, recovery and cut-off are suspended, payment plan with your supplier, no change of supplier; status ends when the debt is paid; online form with formal notice, household composition and proof of income
    Where: sections on the conditions, why to apply, the duration of the status and how to obtain it
  2. Le tarif social pour l'électricité et le gaz (in French) · Brugel (official source) · checked on
    Backs: the regional protected-customer status is separate from the federal social tariff
    Where: sections 'Le tarif social régional - clients protégés' and 'Le tarif social spécifique fédéral'

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