The social rate for water tax is a discount on the canon, aimed at the most vulnerable groups with serious financial problems:
- People receiving minimum contributory pensions for retirement, widowhood or permanent disability.
- Families with all members unemployed.
- Groups with special protection.
- Families at risk of housing exclusion.
The water tax is an environmental tax that is paid in the water bill and can account for up to 40% of the total.
– Age: The social rate of water tax is a rebate that can be applied for by anyone, regardless of age. The exception are people receiving minimum contributory pensions for retirement or widowhood, who must be at least 60 years old.
– Registration in the municipal register: The contract holder must be registered in the dwelling that receives the supply. They must be registered in a municipal register in Catalonia.
– Employment status: The social rate of water tax is a rebate that can be applied for by anyone, regardless of their employment situation. In the case of households with all members unemployed, a specific application must be made.
– Income:
a) In the case of households with all members unemployed and individuals receiving a minimum contributory pension for retirement, widowhood or permanent disability, the monthly income of the family unit may not exceed the following thresholds:
| Family unit | Gross income / month |
|---|---|
| One or two people | 1,556.98 eur |
| Three people | 1,790.53 eur |
| Four people | 2,024.07 eur |
| Five people | 2,257.62 eur |
| Six people | 2,491.17 eur |
b) No income limit applies in the case of groups with special protection:
- Recipients of a non-contributory pension for retirement, retirement due to disability and invalidity.
- Beneficiaries of the Citizen’s Guaranteed Income.
- Recipients of economic social benefits to cover certain situations of basic needs (Act 13/2006, of 27 July), recipients of the Social Assistance Fund (FAS) and recipients of funds from the General Law on Disability).
– Housing situation: Families at risk of residential exclusion are entitled to the social rate for water tax They must provide proof of this status via a report from their municipal social services. No housing requirements apply to other groups.
Amount and frequency:
The social rate discount consists of a 100% discount on the water tax for the most vulnerable families who consume up to 27m3/quarter (first tier of the water tax). In the case of vulnerable families that exceed this consumption, the discount will be 50%.