The Alianza contra la Pobreza Energética has raised concerns over endesa's significant reduction of points for processing the social bonus, a financial aid aimed at assisting vulnerable families with their electricity bills. The energy company has removed 60 of the 63 application points in Catalonia, including the one in L'Hospitalet, leaving only Barcelona, Sabadell, and Tarragona as available locations for in-person applications.
This reduction further complicates an already challenging process for those in need of assistance, as the social bonus is currently the only means to prevent electricity disconnections for vulnerable individuals. Irene González, spokesperson for the Alianza contra la Pobreza Energética, emphasised the urgency of restoring these in-person application points, stating, “Right now, the social bonus is the only support available for families in vulnerable situations, and if obtaining it is a race against time, we are making it extremely difficult for them.”
González also highlighted the fundamental right to energy, asserting that it is essential for individuals to lead dignified lives in their homes.
One case illustrating these challenges is that of Ysabel, who has been attempting to secure the social bonus for over a year, living in constant fear of having her electricity cut off. Despite meeting the eligibility criteria, she has faced numerous obstacles in the application process. “I have been told that I am missing documents, but they never specify which ones,” she explained. “For a year, I have been navigating this issue, and I have been paying more for electricity than I should because I am entitled to this aid,” she added.
According to a report by ESADE and Oxfam Intermón published in 2024, based on 2022 data, only two out of ten households in Catalonia entitled to the social bonus were actually receiving it, making the region one of the least covered in terms of assistance. The Alianza contra la Pobreza Energética has identified a lack of awareness about this right and the complexities of the application process as significant barriers for those seeking help.
