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As the weather turns colder and global energy prices remain high, we look at the different state support schemes available to help people with their energy bills. While some are

means-tested, others can be accessed by all residents of France. Here is a recap. READ ALSO: HOW COLD WILL THIS WEEK BE AND WHERE IS SNOW EXPECTED IN FRANCE? BOUCLIER TARIFAIRE PRICE CAP

Regulated gas and electricity tariffs have been capped throughout this year by a government shield, known as the _bouclier tarifaire _price cap. Under this regulated gas prices were frozen

and regulated electricity tariffs capped at a 4% rise in autumn 2021. France’s regulated energy tariffs (_tarifs réglementés_) are fixed by the state. They are offered only by historic

providers such as EDF or Engie. At the end of last year, there were 2.8 million households on the regulated gas tariff – 26.5% of all the households with gas-heating – and 23 million on the

regulated electricity tariff. Alternative suppliers can index their rates on the regulated tariff or offer contracts based on wider market prices. The government has announced that it will

continue applying a price cap in 2023 but that it will rise from the current 4% to 15%. This will apply to regulated gas prices in January and regulated electricity prices in February. READ

MORE: REGULATED FRENCH GAS AND ELECTRIC BILLS CAPPED AT 15% RISE IN 2023 Without the _bouclier tarifaire_, regulated electricity prices would rise by €180 per month, while with it they will

go up by about €20 per month. Regulated gas prices would rise by €200 per month without the cap, but will go up by around €25 with it. People who are with alternative suppliers will see

varying tariffs depending on whether or not they are indexed on the regulated rate. It is possible to move back to the _tarif réglementé d’électricité _if you have changed to a different

supplier but this is not possible with regards to the _tarif réglementé de gaz naturel_. READ MORE: CAN I CHANGE MY FRENCH ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER FOR A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE? CHÈQUE ÉNERGIE

Around 12 million lower-income households in France will soon be receiving an exceptional _chèque énergie_ to help with their winter energy costs. This new payment will be in addition to the

regular annual cheque sent out in the spring. People who already received the energy cheque in 2022 will receive another cheque for €200 later this month. In addition, households with a

_revenu fiscal de référence _per person unit (unité de consommation) of more than €10,800 but less than €17,400 will receive a cheque for €100. The aid will be sent out automatically with no

action needed by the recipient. You can find out more about this aid on this government website. WOOD HEATING AID Financial help in the form of a _chèque chauffage au bois_ will be

available on request for households that heat their homes with wood and wood pellets from the end of December, with €230million of public funds available in total. The website for

applications is not yet online but is due to open on December 22. READ MORE: HEAT YOUR HOUSE IN FRANCE WITH WOOD? HOW TO APPLY FOR AID Up to €200 will be available depending on household

income. Public Accounts Minister Gabriel Attal has said that: “People in France who earn up to €2,260 for a single person or up to €4,750 for a couple with two children, will receive between

€50 to €200.” People using wood pellets will receive €100-€200, while people using logs will receive €50-€100 depending on their income. Further information is available on the government

website Service-public.fr. HEATING OIL HELP People who heat their homes using oil are also entitled to the _chèque énergie exceptionnel opération fioul_, depending on their income. If you

normally get an energy cheque each year and used it in 2022 to buy heating oil, you will automatically receive a cheque for €200. If you use heating oil in your home but did not receive an

energy cheque this year, you can apply for aid here. If you are deemed eligible, you will receive a cheque for €100-€200 depending on your income. This cheque will be usable with the one-off

general energy cheque detailed above. READ MORE: EXTRA €100-€200 STATE AID PLANNED FOR FRENCH HOMES USING HEATING OIL HELP FOR REPLACING OIL-FIRED BOILERS Homeowners looking to replace

their oil-fired boiler with a more environmentally-friendly alternative can now take advantage of up to €1,500 of additional aid. Called the ‘_Coup de boost fioul_’, the measure was

announced at the end of October and is available until the end of June 2023. It applies to installations of heat pumps, biomass boilers, combined solar systems or connections to a heating

network supplied mainly by renewable or recovered energy. The money is provided by the government and supplements the ‘Coup de pouce chauffage’ grant already offered by energy suppliers as

part of France’s energy saving certificate scheme (CEE). The amount available depends on the work to be done and household income. You will need to select an energy company in the _Coup de

pouce chauffage _scheme and accept the offer from the supplier or its partner. Only professionals with a status called _Reconnu garant de l’environnement_ (RGE) can carry out the work (a

directory is available here). After the work is finished, homeowners must send supporting documents to the energy company or its partner. This may include invoices and a signed certificate

summarising the work. READ MORE: HOW TO GET ADDITIONAL AID TO REPLACE AN OIL-FIRED BOILER IN FRANCE RELATED ARTICLES BEST VALUE HEATING OPTIONS, RENOVATION ISSUES: FRENCH PROPERTY UPDATES

MPS IN FRANCE SAY WIND TURBINES MUST NOT ADD TO ‘VISUAL SATURATION’ HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT FRANCE WILL REQUIRE POWER CUTS THIS WINTER?