According to information from the National Association of Parishes (Anafre), the program arises within the framework of a protocol signed with the Environmental Fund and "following the need to continue this support in a context of pressure on the cost of living".

The "Solidarity Gas Bottle" program, formerly known as "Solidarity Bottle," was implemented in 2022 to mitigate the impact of high energy prices on family budgets following the war in Ukraine, and has been maintained since then. However, according to Deco – the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection – it has fallen short of expectations due to insufficient information and bureaucratic hurdles.

On 18 March, the Prime Minister announced a €25 subsidy for the solidarity gas cylinder for the next three months in response to the impact of the war in the Middle East.

Luís Montenegro was speaking in the bi-weekly debate in the Assembly of the Republic, where he announced that the Council of Ministers would approve measures on “price limits in an energy crisis situation” and “protection of vulnerable consumers with a guarantee of minimum supply”.

“It is in this spirit that I announce here the decision we have taken to, firstly, increase the subsidy to €25 for the solidarity gas cylinder for the next three months,” he stated.

Currently, after having been set at €10, this subsidy is €15.

A government decree published in January stipulated that the subsidy would remain at that value this year, with a maximum total allocation of €2,065 million.

After verifying their eligibility for the program, the consumer (beneficiary of certain social benefits) must keep the receipt for the purchase of the gas cylinder (with their tax identification number) and request reimbursement at a participating parish council or union of parishes.