Help with high energy prices

Residents, business and organisations in The Hague may be experiencing financial difficulties because of the energy crisis. Are you having problems and are you worried? Read on this page what you can do to save on your energy bill. And see where you can go for help with your money matters and allowances.

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    You can do this: help with money matters

    • Households with a low income had the right to an energy-assistance allowance in 2022. The energy allowance is extra money to pay your energy bill. It is not yet known if there will be an energy-assistance allowance for 2023. And when you will be able to apply for it. The Dutch government still needs to decide on this. If you are able to apply, this information will be available on the page Energietoeslag aanvragen (in Dutch).

    • Have you received an energy allowance and are you taking measures to save energy? But you are unable to pay your bills? You may be eligible for special assistance (bijzondere bijstand) (in Dutch).

    • Prevent your energy supplier from temporarily shutting off your gas and electricity if you are unable to pay your energy bill. Request a payment scheme or debt assistance for this. Read more on the website of the Dutch government.

    • Are you experiencing financial worries or difficulties because of the energy crisis? Then make an appointment with the Helpdesk Geldzaken (Help desk on money matters). You can visit more than 30 locations to get answers to your questions and advice. You can phone the Helpdesk Geldzaken on telephone number (070) 353 61 88. Read more on the website of the Helpdesk Geldzaken (in Dutch).

    • Do you have a low income? You may be have the right to the special Ooievaars measures. See if you are eligible for the Ooievaars measures. Look at all of the measures on the page Overview of Ooievaars measures. Or look at the Ooievaars measures for:

    • The municipality offers free workshops on administration and money matters to all residents, professionals and employers living in The Hague. You will learn how to get and keep your financial affairs in order. All of the workshops can be found at Trainingen en workshops over geld en administratie.

      You can also follow free workshops through other organisations. Such as the online training Aan de slag met je geldzaken given by Nibud.

    • Are you experiencing money problems because of a high energy bill, even after receiving the energy allowance? Or you were not eligible for the energy allowance? Then you might be able to apply to the Temporary Emergency Fund for energy. If you are eligible for this support, this national fund will then pay part of your energy bill. This is for the period from October 2022 to March 2023. For more information, the conditions and the application form go to the website of Geldfit.

    You can do this: healthy ways to heat your house

    You want to heat your home in a healthy way but you also want low energy costs. Read a number of important tips.

    • For your health it is important to have as much fresh air and as little humidity indoors by making sure there is proper ventilation. For example by regularly opening doors and windows and leaving the air vents open (or using mechanical ventilation). If you do not ventilate your house enough, you could experience headaches, shortness of breath and fatigue. And too much humidity in a home can lead to mould and bacteria. By ventilating you will also save on your energy costs. It is easier to heat a room with low humidity.

      More information can be found on these websites:

    • Are you trying to heat your home using something other than gas or electricity? For example a woodburning stove, oil-fired furnace or boiler or a petroleum heater? Use only certified appliances. And have them installed by an official company. Otherwise there is a greater risk of fire or that they will release a poisonous and deadly gas. This gas is called carbon monoxide (CO). Tips for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning in the house:

      • Ventilate properly.
      • Hang carbon monoxide detectors in the house. You will be alerted on time if too much carbon monoxide is being released.
      • Have your central heating boiler or furnace installed by an official company.
      • Have a specialist check the furnace and chimney every year.

      More information (in Dutch) can be found on these websites:

    • Read these general tips for protecting yourself against the cold.

      • Wear layers of clothing so that you can insulate yourself well and retain the heat. Wearing layers is better than wearing 1 heavy sweater.
      • You lose a lot of heat through your head. Wear a hat to prevent this.
      • Make sure that you eat and drink warm foods and liquids. This way you keep enough energy in your body and you are better able to keep warm.
      • Do not drink alcohol to keep warm. Alcohol causes your body temperature to drop.
      • Stay active to prevent feeling cold.

      More information (in Dutch) can be found on these websites:

    You can do this: keep your house cool in the summer 

    How do you keep your house cool during a warm summer? Keep the windows, curtains and outside doors shut and close the blinds to block unwanted heat during the day. When it gets cooler in the evening and night, open your house to cool it naturally.

    It also helps to insulate your home well. Good insulation in the roof and exterior walls helps to keep the warmer air out in the summer. In the winter the warm air stays indoors and you profit from a lower energy bill.

    Look at more tips on the website of Milieucentraal. 

    For students

    Students do not have the right to an energy-assistance allowance in The Hague. Are you having financial difficulties due to the high prices for energy and food? Then you could perhaps apply to the Temporary Emergency Fund for energy. You are also welcome to visit the Helpdesk Geldzaken. You will receive personal advice, such as how you can save money. And about types of income assistance for which you might be eligible. Such as special assistance (bijzondere bijstand) (in Dutch).

    Make a free appointment at the Helpdesk Geldzaken (in Dutch).

    For businesses

    Do you have a business and are you experiencing financial problems because of the gas crisis? For example a lower turnover? You could perhaps get financial assistance from the municipality. Such as a Bbz benefit or credit (financial support for entrepreneurs, in Dutch).

    Do you want to save on your gas and/or electricity consumption? Or do you want to be more sustainable? See what you can do on the website Duurzame stad Den Haag (in Dutch).

    For tips and advice you call also call Geldfit. You can also take an anonymous test to see how healthy your financial affairs are and what you can do as a business owner. The service provided by Geldfit is free and anonymous. More information can be found at Geldfit zakelijk.

    Go to the Ondernemersportaal Den Haag for more information.

    Helping others

    Become an energy coach

    Would you like to help your neighbours? Become an energy coach. You can sign up to become an energy coach and help your neighbours make their home more sustainable and/or save energy through the website Duurzaam Den Haag (in Dutch).

    Take action

    Would you like to take action to help other people, either on your own or together with neighbours, family or friends? Or do you have an idea on how to combat energy poverty? The municipality would like to hear your thoughts. Send an email with your idea and contact information to duurzamehaagsewijken@denhaag.nl. If your idea is for companies, send it to duurzaamondernemen@denhaag.nl. The city district where you would like to take action will contact you.

    Look at the Sociale Kaart Den Haag for an overview of all the neighbourhood activities.

      What is the municipality doing?

      The municipality is taking different measures:

      • It has arranged energy-saving measures with housing associations such as blocking unwanted gaps in homes and making them draught-proof.
      • It is modifying more than 4,000 lights so that they can be switched on and off using a remote control.
      • It is replacing about 20,000 lamps with energy-efficient LED lighting.
      • In municipal buildings it is reducing energy consumption by using radiator foil, by insulating and by installing solar panels and heat pumps.
      • It is lowering the water temperature in swimming pools by 1 degree.

      Contact

      You did not find the answer to your question on this page? Contact the municipality.

      Also see

        Also see: Energy crisis (website of the Dutch government)

        Published: 30 March 2023Modified: 13 July 2023