Energy Check 2026: Key Dates, Amounts, and Steps to Pay Your Electric Bills

The energy check is a financial aid aimed at low-income households to help them pay their energy bills (electricity, gas, wood, fuel oil, etc.). It can also be used to cover energy costs included in the fees for individuals living in nursing homes, autonomous residences, or social housing. Here is everything you need to know about its use and conditions for the 2026 campaign.

When will the energy check be mailed in 2026?

Energy checks will be sent to beneficiaries starting April 1, 2026. Approximately 3.8 million households will automatically receive their checks during the first three weeks. Then, another 700,000 households will receive theirs starting May 1. A detailed mailing schedule, with specific dates for each department, has been released by the public service.

This schedule only pertains to paper format energy checks, with a reception delay of 2 to 4 days after mailing. Some cities are listed on multiple dates because the mailings there are done in waves.

Who is eligible for the energy check?

Beneficiaries are automatically identified through the cross-referencing of several pieces of information:

• Your tax data (reference tax income and number of people in the household).
• The electricity delivery point number of your residence.

To be eligible for the 2026 energy check, your reference tax income from 2024 must be less than 11,000 euros per consumption unit. “The first person or the only person in the tax household counts for 1 consumption unit, the second for 0.5 consumption unit, the third and subsequent persons for 0.3 consumption unit,” states the Ministry of Economy. For example, the reference tax income of a family of 4 must not exceed 23 100 euros to be eligible for the energy check.

What is the amount of the energy check?

The granted amount varies depending on income and household composition. The minimum value is 48 euros, and the maximum value is 277 euros depending on the beneficiary’s situation. This year, the average amount of the energy check is 153 euros.

How to obtain the energy check?

Normally, you do not need to take any action: if you are eligible, the check is automatically sent to you by the Payment and Services Agency. If you do not receive it but believe you are entitled to it, an online simulator is available to check your eligibility. Potential beneficiaries who could not be automatically identified will receive an email, an SMS, or a postal letter. You can then file a claim on the dedicated online platform or by postal mail, up until December 31, 2026.

In 2026, the government has identified 4.5 million eligible households. This is still a million less than in previous campaigns before the implementation of automatic mailing. It is therefore essential to check your eligibility in case of non-reception.

How to use the energy check?

The energy check can be used to cover various types of expenses related to your dwelling:

• Your direct energy supply bills (electricity, gas, fuel oil, etc.).
• Your energy charges included in your fee if you live in a specialized establishment (EHPAD, EHPA, autonomous residence, ESLD, USLD) or a housing-foyer subsidized by APL.
• Your rental charges (including energy) if you reside in social housing, by directly handing the check to your landlord.

To make a payment, you can use the traditional paper format or opt for the digital version. By activating your account on the official website, the “e-energy check” service allows you to pay your bills using all or part of your balance with your suppliers, provided they accept this method of payment.

It’s important to note that energy checks can no longer be used to pay for energy renovation works. Only the old “work checks” issued before February 15, 2025, remain valid for this type of operation, until their expiration date.

Beware of scams

Be very vigilant about messages you might receive regarding this assistance. Fraudulent emails are circulated regularly. The public service website reminds that no administration will ever ask for your bank details to issue the energy check.