Large families in Cyprus will pay less for electricity

Cyprus has passed a new law that gives families with five or more children a special electricity tariff called EAC 08. In the past, income was a factor in deciding who could get benefits, but this has now been stopped. This has meant that more people can get help.

This was announced on Friday, 9 May, by Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Marilena Evangelou.

She said that the new rules will apply to families who receive child benefits from the state. To qualify, families must confirm their status with the relevant social or medical services and then apply to the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC). To do this, you need to:

1. Visit the official website of the Cyprus Electricity Authority.
2. Download and fill out the form called 'Application for inclusion in Tariff 08'.
3. Take the completed form to the nearest EAC Customer Service Centre.

Just to let you know, EAC 08 is a special electricity price for people who are in a lot of need and who live permanently in areas controlled by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

It is available to people who live in Cyprus, people from EU and EEA countries, and people with similar rights who legally live in the country. Before, the tariff was for customers in one of these groups:

1. People who get help from the Social Welfare Services.
2. People who get the minimum guaranteed income.
3. Families with three or more children who receive child benefit.
4. Pensioners on low incomes who get the right kind of benefit.
5. Families with just one parent who get extra money for their children.
6. People with severe disabilities who receive a special allowance.
7. People who are paralysed and get a care allowance.
8. People with lower limb paralysis who receive care allowance.
9. People on haemodialysis who get a transport allowance.
10. People who are blind or have a visual impairment receive special help with sponsorship.
11. People who get a monthly pension from the Patient Assistance Fund (as per Law L.114/1988).
12. The information about patients on peritoneal dialysis was supplied by the Health Insurance Organisation.
13. People with MS.
14. People who have had a heart transplant.
15. Patients with megalacria (pituitary gigantism)
16. People with Cushing's disease.
17. People with a health problem called pheochromocytoma.
18. People with a type of nerve damage that is caused by diabetes.
19. Patients who need a tracheostomy for a long time.

Patients with tumours in the brain and/or spinal cord (whether these are primary or metastatic).

Now, families with five or more children will be able to save money on their electricity bills. For more information on how to apply and what you need to submit, please visit the official EAC website.