Since April 1, 2026, energy vouchers have been sent to the letterboxes of millions of French households. If you are among the eligible low-income households, you may have already received — or will soon receive — this valuable aid for paying your electricity, gas, or heating oil bills. Here is everything you need to know: amount, eligibility criteria, mailing timeline, and what to do if you don't receive one.

What is the energy voucher?

The energy voucher is an annual benefit paid by the French state to low-income households to help them cover their home energy costs. Unlike other schemes, it is not paid directly into a bank account: it takes the form of a nominative paper check, valid for paying an electricity, natural gas, heating oil, wood, or propane bill with your energy supplier.

Introduced in 2018 to replace the old social energy tariffs, the energy voucher has gradually become an essential safety net for vulnerable households facing rising energy prices. In 2026, amid persistent tensions on energy markets linked to Middle Eastern conflicts, the French government has not only maintained this scheme but also expanded it.

How much is the 2026 energy voucher worth?

The 2026 energy voucher amount ranges from €48 to €277, depending on income and household composition. On average, it reaches €153 per household. Specifically:

• Households with the lowest incomes (less than €5,600 in reference tax income per consumption unit) receive the highest amounts, up to €277.
• Households with several dependents also benefit from increased amounts, as the household composition is factored into the calculation.
• Households close to the ceiling (between €8,000 and €11,000 in RFR/UC) receive the lowest amounts, around €48 to €77.

It should be noted that in 2026, the energy voucher can no longer be used to fund energy renovation works. It is now exclusively reserved for paying current energy bills or collective heating charges in shared housing.

Who is eligible in 2026?

To benefit from the 2026 energy voucher, your household must meet one main condition: your 2024 reference tax income (RFR) divided by the number of consumption units in your household must be less than €11,000.

Consumption units (CU) are calculated as follows:

• 1 CU for the first adult in the household
• 0.5 CU for each additional person aged 14 and over
• 0.3 CU for each child under 14

Thus, a couple with two children under 14 has 2.1 CU (1 + 0.5 + 0.3 + 0.3). If their 2024 RFR is €20,000, their RFR/CU is approximately €9,523, making them eligible.

In 2026, there is good news: 700,000 additional households benefit from the scheme. This expansion follows a revision of the thresholds to account for inflation and the new economic realities of French households. In total, 4.5 million households are now eligible.

Mailing timeline: when will you receive your voucher?

The 2026 distribution schedule is as follows:

• April 1–20, 2026: automatic mailing to 3.8 million eligible households identified based on 2024 tax data
• May 2026: mailing for the 700,000 newly included households
• Until December 31, 2026: deadline to use the voucher or submit a claim if you have not received one

The voucher is sent by post to the home address registered in the tax administration's records. Make sure your address is up to date with the tax authorities, especially if you have recently moved.

Haven't received your voucher? Here's what to do

If you believe you are eligible but have not received your voucher by the end of April, there is a simple solution: submit an online claim. Since April 1, 2026, a dedicated portal has been available at the official site chequeenergie.gouv.fr. You simply need your tax number (available on your 2025 tax assessment) and some personal identification details.

You can also submit a claim by post to the Agence de Services et de Paiement (ASP), the body responsible for managing the scheme. The processing time is generally a few weeks.

Good to know: if you receive your voucher but do not have a registered energy supplier (for example if you live in rented accommodation where utility costs are included in the rent), the voucher can still be used to pay collective heating charges.

How to use your energy voucher?

Once received, using it is straightforward. Two main options are available:

• Online payment: go to your energy supplier's website, create a personal account and enter the code on the voucher to apply it to your bill.
• Postal submission: you can send the voucher directly to your supplier by post, along with a copy of your bill.

The energy voucher is valid until March 31, 2027. After that date, it can no longer be used. So remember not to leave it forgotten in a drawer.

A strengthened scheme in the face of the energy crisis

The 2026 edition of the energy voucher comes against a still tense geopolitical backdrop. The repercussions of the situation in the Middle East continue to impact energy commodity prices in Europe. The French government has simultaneously announced a targeted support plan of €70 million for the transport, agriculture and fishing sectors, which are particularly exposed to price volatility.

For households, the energy voucher remains one of the most direct and effective tools to cushion these shocks. Its expansion to 700,000 additional households demonstrates the state's willingness to adapt the scheme to the economic realities of the most vulnerable French citizens.

If you are concerned, do not delay: check your letterbox, keep the voucher safely, and use it before the end of March 2027. And if you have not received it and believe you are entitled, the online claim remains open until December 31, 2026.