The clock is ticking for the start of the application process for the heating allowance, the total amount of which amounts to 168 million euros. Until November 10 will have opened platform submission of applications, while part of the allowance will be paid as an advance payment by December 10, to those who received heating allowances in 2020, as stated by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Theodoros Skylakakis.
«A portion of the allowance will be paid in advance, by December 10, to those who received a heating allowance last year. They will initially receive the full amount of the allowance they received last year, and if their bills are higher, they will receive the balance by December 30. By then, new beneficiaries will also receive the allowance,» said Mr. Skylakakis, speaking on ANT1 television.
Referring to some people's request for a reduction in the Special Consumption Tax on fuel, the minister noted that it cannot be reduced because we have a deficit of 7.3%. «If I could, I would do it tomorrow morning,» emphasized Th. Skylakakis.
To be precise, he stressed that product prices will fall before April, while placing particular emphasis on the need to increase electronic transactions.
The Deputy Minister of Finance explained that he cannot recommend an emergency allowance for low-income pensioners and low-wage earners due to the deficit.
Regarding pensioners' retroactive payments, he said that the decisions of the courts are being complied with. He also noted that the government has retained certain articles of the Katrougalos law, which he had initially said he would repeal, and Mr. Skylakakis stressed that the injustices that existed have been corrected.
