Since September 2020, the Facebook group called “MaPrimeRenov’: the obstacle course” has brought together households struggling to receive their energy renovation aid. Almost three years later, membership has swelled and the problems persist. Testimonials.
The warning shot came from the Defender of Rights. In a decision published in October 2022Claire Hédon, jurist and journalist moreover, had pointed out “serious recurring technical malfunctions” of the MaPrimeRénov’ energy renovation aid scheme.
His services then continued to be solicited by dissatisfied or worried applicants. For example, modifying the folder or updating it was impossible under losing its request. In addition, the telephone assistance promised by Anah – the national housing agency – does not fulfill its role, with advisers difficult to reach and answers varying from one interlocutor to another. A difficulty that persists despite the creation of France Renov’ since the beginning of 2023. Delays justified by the quantity of files to be processed, in the order of several million per year.
Because beyond the popular success of MaPrimeRenov’, highlighted by the public authorities, among beneficiaries, with already modest incomes, some are sinking into precariousness while waiting for the payment of their aid since they have gone into debt to pay their works.
In her recommendations, the Defender of Rights asks to “definitively resolve the technical difficulties” denounced, to “reduce the processing times for files facing difficulties”, to “improve information for users”, to allow the opening of files other than online and to “regularize all requests for assistance that have not been successful due to difficulties attributable to the implementation of the system”.
The payment of the bounty, this sword of Damocles
The problem is actually not new. From September 2020, the Facebook group called “MaPrimeRenov’: the obstacle course” is created. From 1,600 members, it grew to 20,000 stakeholders nearly 3 years later. All of them are going through the same type of hassle already told by MoneyVox at the end of 2020: submission of the file, sending of quotes, evaluation of the amount of aid, agreement from Anah, payment of the craftsman then, no transfer of the premium!
What about today while the budget of MaPrimeRénov’ will be boosted by 1.6 billion euros to reach 4 billion euros in 2024. This is an “unprecedented” increase, even declared the head of government in mid-July. But on the Facebook group, dozens of messages are still posted every day on problems encountered with MaPrimeRénov’.
“I carried out comprehensive renovation work in 2022. I sent all the documents, as well as the certificate of conformity, then I had an energy audit done at my expense and sent invoices and a certificate. I often phone the advisers and always the same answer: ‘your file is under investigation’, explains Michel who shares his account with his wife Nathalie. Last week I received a message from MaPrimeRenov’ telling me that I had canceled my file, which is false. »
RIB rejections
For William, the situation is no better. “It continues…anyone else have the bug in the file detail?” The ‘Complete my request’ button has disappeared and ‘Return to the list of files’ is out of the frame of the page. Result: I still can’t ask for the balance…” For her part, Sarah was able to go further than William, but does not know after how long. she can hope to receive his help.
Samuel AUFFRAY
After studying political science at Paris 2 and journalism at the CFJ, Samuel Auffray worked at L’Obs in the field of… Read more
© MoneyVox / SA / August 2023