The ordinary rules return to bills: social bonuses only for families with ISEE up to 9,530 euros (20 thousand for large families). For gas, different discounts also based on the geographical area
Bills. Will there be extraordinary measures to support families? It is not known, but in the meantime Arera has put a first firm point on 2026: it has defined the values of the social bonuses for electricity and gas, confirming the return to the ordinary rules after the end of the extraordinary contribution foreseen last year. Stop the additional bonus for families with ISEE up to 25 thousand euros introduced as a temporary measure, however the “structural” social bonusintended for economically disadvantaged families and families with people in physical difficulty, with amounts and criteria updated by Arera.
Bill bonus 2026: who is entitled to it and what are the ISEE requirements
The bonus on electricity and gas is due to families with an ISEE not exceeding 9,530 euros, a threshold which rises to 20 thousand euros in the case of large families, with at least four dependent children. Furthermore, families in which there is a person suffering from a serious illness, which requires the use of life-saving electro-medical equipment, remain protected. You don’t have to apply, but access to the benefit is automatic. The only fundamental step is, as always, filling out the Single Self-Declaration, to obtain the updated ISEE certificate. If the value is within the established limits and the supplies are registered in the name of a member of the family unit, the discount is automatic for 12 months, directly on the bill. But the contract must be active, for domestic use and registered in the name of a family member. In the case of rent, for example, the bonus is not due if the user is registered in the name of the owner of the house.
Electricity bonus 2026: the amounts set by Arera
As regards electricity, Arera has defined the new values of the bonus for economic hardship taking into account the composition of the family unit. In 2026, the annual benefit for families of one or two people is 146 euros, for those with three or four members the bonus rises to 186.15 euros per year, while for larger families, with more than four members, the amount reaches 204.40 euros per year. The discount is spread across bills for the entire permitted period.
Gas bonus 2026: variable amounts by climate zone and use
The mechanism of the gas bonus is more complex, which varies based on three factors: the number of members of the family, the use of gas (cooking and hot water only, heating only or combined use) and the climate zone in which the home is located.
In the milder climate zones (such as A and B) the bonus starts from 39.16 euros for families of up to four members who use gas for domestic hot water and cooking, reaching 106.20 euros for larger families who also include heating. Going up towards the colder areas (such as zone E and F) the maximum value recognized for families with more than four members reaches around 156 euros per year for the combined use of hot water, cooking and heating. Unlike the electricity bonus, the gas bonus is not the same every month: the amount varies every three months and is more significant in the winter months, when consumption increases, making cold season bills less burdensome.
Physical discomfort, strengthened bonuses confirmed for those who use electro-medical devices
The bonuses dedicated to families in conditions of physical hardship are also confirmed. In this case, the benefit is not linked to the ISEE but to the need to use electro-medical equipment for life support. The amount varies based on the annual extra consumption of electricity compared to a typical user and the power used by the meter. For the minimum range of additional consumption, the bonus ranges from approximately 142 euros to over 208 euros per year. In the medium range it goes up to 335 euros, while for cases of greater use the contribution can exceed 460 euros per year.
When does the bonus arrive on the bill and why ISEE matters
The timing of application of the discount depends on the date of submission of the ISEE. On average, it takes about three or four months to see it on your bill. For this reason it is essential to update the ISEE for the current year as soon as possible. It is from there that the entire procedure is unlocked and the continuity of the discount on electricity and gas bills is guaranteed.
