Gas subsidy: who receives it and how to know if you are receiving it

Last updated: July 2026

There's a discount on your gas bill that you never had to ask for. It doesn't come from a call for applications, it's not requested at any office, and it doesn't depend on the Sisbén system: the gas subsidy It's applied automatically, based on the socioeconomic level of the house where you live, and it's printed on your bill every month. That's the problem: since nobody asks for it, almost nobody checks if they're receiving it or how much it is.

We are Hepacom, the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation (NIT 900.841.914-1), and we work for the right to decent housing. We do not allocate subsidies or process applications: we explain what the law says, with the source provided.

What is the gas subsidy and who provides that money?

It is a discount that the law requires to be applied to lower socioeconomic strata and that is financed by higher socioeconomic strata and businesses. It's not money from a social program: it's a redistribution within the same bill.

It comes from Law 142 of 1994, which created the solidarity contributionThose in socioeconomic levels 5 and 6, plus businesses in commerce and industry, pay up to 20% more on their service, and this fund covers the discount for lower-income households. That's why it doesn't run out and has no limit.

Who receives the gas subsidy in Colombia?

For piped gas in homes, only strata 1 and 2. That's the difference compared to other public services, and it's almost never explained: for water, those in socioeconomic stratum 3 can still receive a discount, but for gas, the Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission indicates that users of Strata 3 and 4 are not eligible for subsidies.

It also doesn't depend on the Sisbén system, and many people confuse the two and claim benefits where they shouldn't. It's assigned based on the... property stratum, which the mayor's office defines: you can be in group A of the Sisbén, live in stratum 3 and not receive a gas discount.

How much is the gas subsidy discount?

Up to 60 % of the service cost for stratum 1 and up to 50 % for stratum 2, but only on the first 20 cubic meters of the month. These are two distinct boundaries and they must be read together: that's where people get lost.

The percentages are in Article 3 of the Law 1117 of 2006, modified by Law 1428 of 2010: «"In no case will the percentage of the subsidy be greater than 60 % of the cost of providing the service for stratum 1 and 50 % of this for stratum 2"». Beware of the "up to": it's a ceiling, not a floor, and your company can apply for less.

The second limit is the subsistence consumptionFor natural gas, the CREG set it at 20 m³ per month Since Resolution 057 of 1996, any consumption above that amount is charged at the full rate. That's why two neighbors in the same socioeconomic stratum can have very different bills.

Hepacom's preparation: Law 142 of 1994 (art. 89), Law 1117 of 2006 (art. 3) and CREG Resolution 057 of 1996. These are maximum limits.

Common mistakes that cause you to lose the discount

• Believing that it is requested in an office. There's no form: if the property is in socioeconomic stratum 1 or 2, the company is obligated to use it. If someone offers to "handle it" for you for a fee, it's a scam.
• Do not check the invoice stratum. After a neighborhood renovation or a change in street names, the property may be misclassified, and the discount disappears without notice.
• Exceeding basic consumption without realizing it. A gas water heater pushes consumption well above the subsidized 20 m³, and the excess is paid for in full.

How can I tell if the gas subsidy is being applied to my bill?

1. The stratum. It's at the top, next to the address and contract number. Confirm that it's the correct one.
2. Monthly consumption in m³. It tells you if you are above the subsidized 20 m³.
3. The discount line. It appears as a "subsidy," subtracting from the total. If you're in socioeconomic stratum 1 or 2 and it's not listed, you have grounds to claim it.

What if you cook with a propane tank? The LPG gas subsidy

It is a separate scheme and does not cover the entire country. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, subsidies are granted for LPG consumption strata 1 and 2 and indigenous communities, However, the program is limited to San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Nariño, Caquetá, Putumayo, Amazonas, and the municipalities of the Cauca region within the Colombian Massif. The discount is reflected in the price of the cylinder at the authorized distributor; outside of this coverage area, there is no LPG subsidy to claim.

What to do if the discount doesn't appear or the stratum is incorrect?

The complaint begins with the company that provides you with the service, not with the mayor's office or the Sisbén. You file a billing request with the contract number and the invoice where the discount is missing, and they must respond in writing. If they don't respond, you can contact the Superintendency of Residential Public Services.

If the The property's socioeconomic stratum is incorrectly assigned., The process is different: the stratification is done by the mayor's office, and it's to them that the review is requested. Correct the origin instead of patching up an invoice. See how it fits with the rest of the receipt in our guide. public utility subsidy by socioeconomic stratum.

How Hepacom accompanies you

We work with families in the southern Aburrá Valley for whom the gas bill competes with groceries and rent. When a household loses the discount it's entitled to, it's not just about rates: it's one less meal on the table. That's why, when we accompany a home improvement, We also reviewed the services: a decent home is one that can be maintained. If someone asked you for money to "process" your subsidy, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or from contact us. Also check out the State aid and subsidies and the subsidy scams.

Frequently asked questions about the gas subsidy

Do I have to apply for the gas subsidy at any office?
No. It's applied automatically based on the property's classification. If someone charges you to process it, it's a scam.

Does the gas subsidy depend on the Sisbén?
No. It depends on the housing stratum, which is assigned by the mayor's office and appears on the bill.

Does stratum 3 receive a gas subsidy?
No, not for piped gas: the CREG (Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission) indicates that users of combustible gas in socioeconomic strata 3 and 4 are not eligible for subsidies. This differs from the situation with water and sewage services.

Why did my gas bill go up if I'm in socioeconomic stratum 1?
The most common scenario is having exceeded the 20 m³ subsistence consumption limit: the excess is charged at the full rate.

Could the gas subsidy end?
The scheme is legal, but the formulas used to calculate it are extended for periods: the CREG extended them until June 30, 2027 (CREG Resolution 105 006 of 2023, based on article 272 of Law 2294 of 2023).

Information guide. The procedure is carried out by the official entity. Sources: Law 1117 of 2006, Law 142 of 1994, CREG and Minminas — GLP. Check the official channel of your provider. Hepacom does not charge or manage procedures.