Electricity bill will be cheaper for low-income families; economist explains benefit

Malu Dacio – Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Families in vulnerable situations throughout the country may pay less on their electricity bills in February. This, because in late January it was confirmed by the National Agency for Electrical Energy (ANEEL) the green tariff flag for beneficiaries of the Social Tariff in February. There are about 24 million families benefited with the Social Tariff for Electric Energy.

CENARIUM heard from Amazon economist Willander Buraslan, who explains that the social tariff is a benefit that greatly helps low-income families because the project consists of reducing the electricity tariff.

“It goes from 65% to 100% depending on the residential sub-class, that is, how the family fits in the CadÚnico”, he says. Willander says that with the social tariff, families receive discounts on their electricity consumption and this ensures the sustainability of the household.

“Since these families cannot afford to pay for their electricity without discounts and still maintain their quality of life without affecting basic expenses such as food and health”, he defines.

The economist recalls that, currently, the social charge is subsidized by the Energy Development Account (Conta de Desenvolvimento Energético – CDE). “Through this, the federal government allows families to use part of their income for consumption, enabling them to guarantee their livelihood by acquiring basic goods and services, benefiting the economy as a whole”, says Willander.

For the others, the Hydric Shortage flag is still in effect, at R$14.20 for every 100 kWh consumed. This extra amount was necessary to strengthen the response to the water scenario of 2021, the worst in 91 years. The Hydric Shortage flag will remain in effect until April 2022.

Who can use it?

• Be registered in the federal government’s Unified Registry for Social Programs, with a monthly family income per person that is less than or equal to half the minimum national wage, with updated registration in the last two years, and may or may not have received Bolsa Família (current Brazil Allowance).
  
• People with a monthly family income of up to three minimum wages, who have someone with a disease or pathology that requires the continued use of electrical appliances or equipment, through a medical certificate.
  
• Elderly people 65 (sixty-five) years of age or older, or people with disabilities, who receive the Continuous Cash Benefit of Social Assistance – BPC.