$800 Electricity Payment Announced as Cost of Living Doubles – Eligibility, Dates, and How to Claim

With the cost of living on the rise, thousands of households in the ACT are set to benefit from an $800 rebate on their utility bills. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, dates, and how to claim this payment.

Updates

The South Australian government has increased its emergency electricity payment from $400 to $800 starting 1 July. This change removes the previous $2,000 debt cap, making more people eligible. In addition, a one-off cost-of-living concession payment of $243.90 was recently provided to households.

Cost of Living Concession payments for tenants and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders have also been doubled. Starting in August, these payments will match those given to homeowners, increasing to $255.60 for all eligible recipients.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the $800 electricity payment have been expanded. Here’s who qualifies:

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• Households with a Commonwealth Health Care Card.
• Those receiving government health benefits through the Commonwealth Health Care Card.
• Individuals with the Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card.
• Australians with a Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or Gold Card.

Organizations such as the South Australia Financial Counsellors Association and Uniting Communities support these changes, emphasizing the importance of electricity for health, hygiene, and connectivity, especially for those facing financial difficulties.

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Human Services Minister Nat Cook has highlighted the importance of this increase in the South Australian Emergency Electricity Payment. The maximum amount has been raised from $400 to $800, providing significant relief for low and fixed-income households.

Additionally, default electricity prices are decreasing by 2.8%, which will save the average household $63 next year. The Australian Government will also offer an extra $300 discount, adding further financial relief for residents.

Dates

The electricity payment scheme is part of this year’s $266.2 million cost of living package. Payments are sent directly to your electricity provider and applied as credits to your account, reducing your overall bill.

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Starting 1 July, the payment has been doubled from $400 to $800. This change comes just in time as winter begins and households face higher energy costs due to increased use of electrical appliances. The payment will now be available every two years instead of every three, benefiting over 1,300 households each year.

How to Claim

To claim the $800 electricity payment, follow these steps:

• Contact your energy provider directly if you are eligible.
• If you live in a caravan park or retirement village with an embedded network, contact the ACT Revenue Office or fill out the online application form on their website.
• If you need assistance, reach out to a financial counselor. They can assess your financial situation and apply for the rebate on your behalf.

This expansion is part of crucial reforms identified during a recent review. The increased payment is designed to help families manage their energy bills more effectively, especially during the colder months when heating costs rise. This support builds on previous efforts by the government.

The expansion will provide more support to vulnerable households, offering increased relief on electricity bills. Additionally, a $300 energy rebate for all Australian households will be available starting this month, as announced in the federal budget. This rebate aims to ease the financial pressure from rising energy costs across the country.

Simon Schrapel from Uniting Communities has also endorsed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of keeping homes powered during the cold months, particularly for vulnerable groups such as households with young children and seniors.

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