Residents of the Aysén Region who qualify for the government’s Subsidio a la Calefacción, formerly known as the Bono Leña, must claim their in-person payments before their six-month validity period expires in September 2026. According to the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the $100,000 benefit is issued automatically to eligible households within the 80% most vulnerable segment of the Registro Social de Hogares (RSH), with hundreds of in-person payments currently remaining uncollected at bank branches.
Who qualifies for the subsidy?
There is no formal application process for this benefit. The Ministry of Social Development and Family identifies recipients through a data cross-reference system that verifies residency and vulnerability. To be eligible, a household must be permanently located in the Aysén Region and fall within the 80% most vulnerable category of the RSH. Priority is automatically assigned to households participating in the Subsistema Seguridades y Oportunidades, the National Care System, or those including individuals with moderate to severe dependency, children, adolescents, older adults, or female heads of household.
How to verify payment status
Beneficiaries can confirm their eligibility and payment method by visiting the official website at subsidiocalefaccion.gob.cl. By entering their RUN and date of birth, heads of household can immediately determine if they have been approved and whether their funds were issued via direct deposit to a BancoEstado CuentaRUT or are designated for in-person collection.
Deadlines and collection procedures
For those receiving the benefit via in-person cash payment, the window to collect the funds is limited. Because payments began in a phased schedule based on the recipient’s paternal surname on March 23, 2026, the six-month validity period for these documents concludes in September 2026. If the funds are not claimed at a bank branch by the expiration date, the benefit is considered void, and the money will revert to the state treasury.
What happens if the primary holder cannot attend?
If the designated recipient is unable to visit a BancoEstado branch, the household may authorize an alternative collector. The Ministry of Social Development and Family provides a “Cambio de cobrador” (Change of Collector) form through ChileAtiende channels. This document must be presented to the corresponding Seremi de Desarrollo Social to grant a third party, who must be at least 18 years old, the legal authority to withdraw the $100,000 payment on the beneficiary’s behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the Subsidio a la Calefacción?
No, there is no application process. Beneficiaries are selected automatically by the Ministry of Social Development and Family based on their location in the Aysén Region and their status within the Registro Social de Hogares.
What happens if I miss the collection deadline?
If the in-person payment is not collected within six months of its issuance date, the benefit expires and the funds are returned to the state treasury, where they become inaccessible.
How do I check if my payment is ready?
You can check your status by entering your RUN and date of birth on the official portal, subsidiocalefaccion.gob.cl.
Have you verified your status on the official website to ensure your household receives this support before the September deadline?
