Arera responds
The “Aiuti bis” decree (DL 9 August 2022, number 115) in article 2 defined as “vulnerable natural gas customers” the civil customers who fall into at least one of the following classes:
- a) people who are in economically disadvantaged conditions pursuant to article 1, paragraph 75, of law 124/17;
- b) subjects with disabilities pursuant to article 3 of law 104/92;
- c) subjects whose users are located on smaller non-interconnected islands;
- d) subjects whose utilities are located in emergency housing facilities following calamitous events;
- e) people over 75 years of age.
In defining the conditions of vulnerability, he therefore specified that the condition of vulnerability is recognized directly to disabled individuals and not to the family unit. Therefore, in order to access vulnerability protection it is necessary that the customer who owns the supply coincides with the person with a disability as defined by law.
Be careful not to get confused with vulnerability regarding electrical supplies. The rule (article 11 paragraph 1 of Legislative Decree 8 November 2021, number 210) has provided for an exception to the need for the vulnerable person and the owner to coincide if the family unit contains a person in serious health conditions such as to require the use of medical-therapeutic equipment powered by electricity, so-called “life-saving”. The life-saving electro-medical equipment that gives entitlement to the bonus were identified by the decree of the Ministry of Health of 13 January 2011. Only in this case is the vulnerability recognized to the family unit and the owner may be different from the subject in conditions of physical discomfort.
We remind you that it is always possible to request a change of contract holder (transfer) from your supplier.
