This Wednesday, September 4, is the deadline for users of residential electricity and gas services in Argentina to register in the Access Registry to the Subsidies to Energy (RASE) and thus not lose the subsidy on their bills.
This deadline is crucial for those who receive the social rate but have not yet completed their registration in the RASE. Failure to register will result in the loss of the bonus or subsidy and a significant increase in rates starting next month.
The RASE was implemented as a measure to ensure that energy subsidies reach those who really need them. This registry divides residential users into three categories: Level 1, which includes higher-income users who pay the full rate; Level 2, which includes lower-income users with greater subsidy coverage; and Level 3, which includes intermediate-income users who receive subsidies up to a consumption cap.
The government’s objective with this measure is to improve the targeting of subsidiesensuring that only those who meet the established requirements and really need the financial aid receive it. According to official sources, “if they do not register voluntarily, the State considers that they do not need it.”
To register for the RASE, users can complete the process online through the official website or go to the ANSES offices. The process requires users to provide personal information and details about their economic situation to determine their eligibility for subsidies..
It is important to note that households that have already registered do not need to register again, unless they wish to update their data. However, those who do not complete the registration before September 4 will lose the discount on their bill and there will be no new extension for this deadline.
Impact
The loss of the subsidies will have a significant impact on electricity and gas rates for users who do not register on time. According to a report by the consultancy firm Economía y Energía, subsidies to the energy sector fell by 39% between January and July 2024, while electricity and gas rates increased by more than 750% year-on-year in August.
For low-income users, electricity bills increased by 472% and gas bills by 764% in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) during that period. These increases reflect the importance of the subsidies to keep energy rates affordable for the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
