Similarly to the regulations which were effective between 15 February 2009 and 30 June 2009, Act XL of 2008 on natural gas supply (the new Gas Supply Act), and 19/2008. (I. 30.) Government Decree (new Decree) issued for its implementation also contain the concept of a ‘consumer to be protected’ and the related detailed provisions. The new provisions must be applied from 1 July 2009.
Residential consumers, as consumers to be protected, are entitled to special treatment and benefits by the natural gas trader, universal service provider and gas distributor. This information applies only to residential consumers describing the conditions of registration as consumers with social needs and/or disabled consumers, and the benefits available after registration.
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 24 (2) of the new Decree, if a residential consumer did not pay his debt, the natural gas trader/universal service provider notifies the user on the benefits available to consumers to be protected, the method of application for registration as well as the application form simultaneously with the first payment reminder.
Pursuant to the provisions of the legal regulations, a distribution licensee keeps a register of the consumers to be protected. Registration must be requested by the users, i.e., by you. Registration may take place based on two titles:
- consumer with social needs and/or
- disabled consumer.
The application form can also be downloaded from our website. It needs to be completed, signed and then sent to our company. The form consists of two parts. Page One must be completed by the user applying for registration (i.e., you), while Page Two must be completed by the clerk of the competent municipality or the guardianship office for consumers with social needs or the administration agency providing the benefits and the treating physician or the GP for disabled consumers.
(Before completing the form, please study carefully the COMPLETION INSTRUCTIONS, and then complete it with the data contained in the gas bill, in order to make identification easier.)
The completed, signed and certified application form may be handed in at our customer service office or returned to our postal address.
We shall send you written notification of registration within 8 days. The special treatment and preferences can be applied subsequently.
A consumer with social needs or a disabled consumer is a natural person who or the person in whose household satisfies the conditions of the COMPLETION INSTRUCTIONS.
A consumer with social needs may apply for instalment payment and deferred payment (maximum 30 days) (on one occasion in 12 calendar months) within the payment deadline of the last bill based on which the notification of disconnection has been issued. The consumer can also apply for a prepaid meter. The user can use these preferences only at one consumption point.
Disabled consumers must enjoy special treatment especially in relation to their requirements related to meter reading, billing and payment methods.
Please note that if you wish to be registered as a consumer to be protected, our company will give you more information and help you complete the form if you so wish. Should you have any questions, please visit our colleagues at the customer service office which is closest to your home or call us on our blue number 06 (40) 333-338.
Document No. 9.
Document No. 10.