As we navigate the ever-increasing costs of living, one of the toughest blows is receiving those heart-sinking electricity bills. But we've got some great news to share with you: If you're living on Centrelink payments, you could be eligible to receive a much-needed automatic electricity bill refund!

Services Australia has announced that Centrelink recipients should soon receive a letter or email outlining how to consent to share their information with their electricity bill provider.

‘Once your electricity retailer has confirmed your Centrelink details with us, they will pay you automatically,’ Services Australia said.

Services Australia revealed that Centrelink recipients can get a rebate on their electricity bills. Credit: TK Kurikawa/Shutterstock

‘You will get your rebate automatically if you get a state energy concession or live in Queensland or Western Australia,’ they added.

It's worth noting that how much rebate you get and when you receive it will depend on where you live.

For example, households in New South Wales will be receiving a one-off $500 bill-relief payment in the 2023-24 financial year.

Eligible Victorian households, on the other hand, can get a $250 rebate.

Vulnerable Queensland residents eligible for the $372 Queensland Electricity Rebate will receive an automatic $700 Cost of Living Rebate on their electricity bill in 2023-24, resulting in a total relief of $1,072!

All other Queensland households can get up to $550 from the Cost of Living Rebate in 2023-24.

For those of you living in South Australia, you can look forward to getting up to $500 once a year (in the form of quarterly payments of $125).

Western Australians on the WA Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) or the Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) can receive up to $500 per year in bill relief—on top of their ECES or EAP payments!

All other Western Australian households can receive up to $400 in bill relief.

Northern Territory residents are also getting major money-saving benefits of up to $350 in bill relief from July 1, 2023.

Meanwhile, Aussies in the Australian Capital Territory will get up to $175 in bill relief.

We know that money can be tight even at the best of times–but especially so for those on a pension. This refund should help make life a bit easier and save you some much-needed cash!

To learn more about Services Australia’s announcement, visit their website here.

You may also read about how it applies to your state on this website.

This news comes after Centrelink announced the increase for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and Partnered Parenting Payment last week. Starting September 20, the cost of living relief will see a $40 increase in payment each fortnight for the recipients. You can learn more about it here.

More than that, those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payments will receive a much-needed increase in their payments starting September 20 as well. You can read more about this announcement here.

Key Takeaways

• Centrelink recipients can get an automatic rebate on their electricity bills if they opt in.
  
• The amount and timing of the rebate depends on the recipient's location, with varied amounts across states and territories.
  
• Services Australia has stated that Centrelink recipients should soon receive a letter outlining how to consent to share their details with their electricity retailer for the rebate process.
  
• Some of the relief amounts include a $500 one-off payment in New South Wales, a $250 relief for eligible Victorian households, eligible vulnerable households in Queensland can receive a $500-$700 Cost of Living rebate, South Australian households will get up to $500, eligible households in Western Australia can receive $400-$500 relief, Northern Territory households can get $350, and $175 for eligible households in Australian Capital Territory.
  

What are your thoughts on this story, members? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Abby2]

It has been in the news since the budget was handed down in May.

You would think that Services Australia would have had enough time to notify everybody.

 

[Trudi]

You would think that Services Australia would have had enough time to notify everybody.

The government put it into the hands of each state and authorised energy companies to deduct the discount from accounts held by people in receipt of discounts. Eligibility for this differs in each state, for example, in WA I would receive an energy discount for having a Senior Health Care Card, in the ACT where I live, I am not eligible.

Furthermore, each state government is authorised to decide on the amount and shape how the discount is credited on the electricity accounts of eligible card holders. This is the reason why some states pay the full $500 and others, like the ACT, pays just $175.

As motst eligible people would by now have received the discount, Services Australia will contact those that misse out during September. I am in that category, as I do not receive a discount on my electricity bills because I have a Seniors Health Care Card, instead of a Pensioner Health Care Card.

If you care to read up on what you are entitled to in the state that you live in, I gave a link in an earlier post. When it opens it will give your the details relating to the ACT, however, on the left you can select the state you are in.