Setting up the government fund requires a legislative amendment and careful preparation. Therefore, it can open at the earliest at the end of next year. The aim is that vulnerable households can still receive financial support in 2026. The government has made 60 million euros available for the fund. The cabinet has decided to supplement the fund with 174.5 million euros from the European Social Climate Fund (SCF). This is pending approval of the proposal by the European Commission. Part of the Dutch plan within the SCF is to provide multi-year income support to households with high energy costs, combined with assistance in the sustainability of homes. The exact duration of the public energy fund is still being worked out.

Assistance via Temporary Energy Emergency Fund

The Temporary Energy Emergency Fund was open for household applications for the last time this spring. Both the cabinet and the energy sector contributed financially to this emergency fund. It is expected to support 110,000 households this year with paying their energy bills. They receive an average of 80 euros per month in support. Households could indicate in their application whether they want additional assistance to lower their energy bills. They responded massively to this. The coming period will examine what this assistance might look like.