Since January the platform for applications to support the purchase of gas cylinders has been inactive. The government does not clarify if it will reactivate the program and there are parish councils that are taking on the costs.
The “Bilhan Solidarity” program, which supports needy families in the purchase of gas in cage, is suspended since the beginning of the yearwith the platform for submission of inactive applications. The government has not yet clarified whether the measure will resume this year with retroactive effects.
Despite the suspension, according to the orders, the orders do not stop reaching the parish councils, with some Advance the 10 euros by cylinder Beneficiaries, assuming the risk of not being able to recover the money in the event that the government permanently cancel the program, as is the case of the Union of Parishes of São Martinho and Ribeira de Frades, in Coimbra.
In the parish of Costa, in Guimarães, the decision was different. The president, Vítor Matos, explained that it is not possible to access the program platform since January 12 and, therefore, advises the beneficiaries to keep the invoices With taxpayer number, if there are retroactive payments. “Right now, it’s all stopped. I think it is for the reformulation of the program, ”he said.
The impact of suspension is significant for many families. The price of the 13 kg gas cylinder reached 37.90 euros, a 22% increase since 2022, And it is more than 20 euros more expensive than in Spain. For those who depend on the gas to cook, heat the house or bathe, the support of 10 euros per bottle makes a substantial difference.
Since 2022, the “Solidarity Bilhan” program has all been eurical to support needy citizens, but only 2.2 million were effectively paid to 215,328 beneficiaries. There are also 1.3 million euros for distributing, reinforcing uncertainty about the continuity of support. The program was accessible to those who received the electrical social tariff or other minimum social provision.
However, the secretary general of the PCP, Paulo Raimundo, announced that the party wants to present a project-law again to fix the price of the gas cylinder in 20 euros and reduce VAT.
