In addition to pensioners, those receiving pension-like benefits are also entitled to the vouchers, meaning that approximately 2.6 million people are eligible.
The value of the household utility vouchers as a one-time benefit will be nine thousand forints which those eligible will receive in denominations of three thousand forints. The Hungarian Postal Service will deliver the household utility vouchers by 30 September, and they can be used up to 31 March next year. The postal service will attempt delivery on a single occasion. Should delivery fail, a request for repeated delivery must be submitted to the Hungarian State Treasury. The vouchers are tax-free.
The range of individuals eligible for the vouchers is laid down in detail in the relevant government decree. Among others, old-age pensioners on the pension payroll in May 2019, those receiving widow’s pensions, parent’s pensions, orphan’s benefits, early-retirement pensions, disability and rehabilitation benefits, disability allowances, disability grants and the personal allowances of the visually impaired will be eligible for the vouchers.
The household utility vouchers can be used for the payment of gas and electricity services at the post office or directly at the service provider’s customer services. Detailed information regarding payment will be available on the websites of the service providers.
More than one voucher can be used for the payment of multiple bills. Upon payment, the sum stated in the vouchers can only be supplemented with cash, not with bank cards, and the vouchers cannot be cashed.
Service providers will credit the value of the household utility vouchers handed over at the their customer services immediately, but within 15 days of delivery, at the latest.
More information can be obtained via the government customer line at 1818.
The government provides the household utility vouchers for pensioners as a sign of appreciation. This is made possible by the robust performance of the economy. In the past few years, Hungary has completed an economic turnaround, and is now one of the EU’s most dynamically developing economies. In the second quarter, the Hungarian economy grew by 5.1 per cent, while the EU average was just 1.3 per cent.
The government believes it is important that the elderly, too, should benefit from the country’s economic results “as they worked for this country during their entire lives, and raised their children”. In addition to the earlier household utility bill reductions, previously the government also helped pensioners with the distribution of Erzsébet Vouchers.
(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)
