Over 215,000 households eligible for financial support as minister urges everyone to apply

In the Land Down Under, where the sun scorches the earth, and the cost of living seems to rise like the mercury on a hot summer's day, there's a glimmer of hope for Australians grappling with their bills.

The state government supports eligible households with low or fixed incomes.

But time is ticking, and the end of the year is fast approaching, so it's crucial to act swiftly to claim this treasure chest of relief.


This advantage of the support available before the 31st of December 2024 deadline.

Over 215,000 households will be able to access these household concessions.


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Up to $1,100 in cost-of-living relief can be applied for by South Australian households on low or fixed incomes before the end of the year. Credit: Unsplash


The concessions range from payments for cost-of-living relief to energy, water, sewerage, medical heating and cooling, and the emergency services levy.

However, it's been reported that thousands of eligible households, potentially including older South Australians, families, single parents, or people with disabilities, have not yet applied for these concessions.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook has highlighted the struggle many low or fixed-income households face with the rising cost of living.


'We know about a quarter of households in South Australia already access the range of concessions including cost-of-living, water, energy and sewerage, but many more households would be eligible,' Cook said.

The government is offering these concessions and extending free public transport to all people with Centrelink Health Care Cards from 1 January 2025.

For families, the Sports Voucher program will provide two $100 grants in 2025 to help cover the cost of kids' extracurricular activities. Additionally, the materials and services charge subsidy will be doubled to $200 per child for government schools from 2025.

Eligibility for these concessions generally requires holding an eligible concession card, receiving an eligible Centrelink payment, or being low-income.

This can include the pensioner concession card, veteran gold card, low-income health care card, and commonwealth seniors health card.


Centrelink payments that may qualify include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Special Benefit, and ABSTUDY.

Applying is straightforward–you can do it online or phone the Concessions SA hotline on 1800 307 758 to have an application posted.

Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers; it's time to unlock the treasure chest of relief and ease the burden of those bills.

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Key Takeaways

  • South Australian households on low or fixed incomes can apply for up to $1,100 in cost-of-living relief before the end of the year.
  • Over 215,000 households are eligible for various concessions, including energy, water, and medical heating and cooling payments.
  • Human Services Minister Nat Cook emphasises that many more households might be eligible for these aids amidst rising living costs.
  • Eligibility for the concessions depends on holding an eligible concession card, receiving a Centrelink payment, or being on low income.
Have you or someone you know benefited from these concessions? What was the process like? Please share your stories in the comments below.
 
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I’m curious to know why this isn’t available to those in other states. All Australian pensioners are doing it tough
 
I’m curious to know why this isn’t available to those in other states. All Australian pensioners are doing it tough
These types of concessions are paid by State Governments, not Federal, and therefore differ from State to State.
WA and Qld appear to be the most generous, other States not as much, but all States seem to have some concessions.
Glad I live in good old WA.
 
It's the wording in the heading that confuses "Centrelink relief" which it is not.
Should read for those on Centrelink or low wages, which it states further in.

Would be more honest to add in the heading that it's SA State relief and not get everyone's hopes up and causing angst in some.

Using teasing headlines might be the usual way for media companies but it is hurtful when it's used by a seniors club, we don't need this sort of Murdoch, Coles, Woolies nonsense to get more customers. It makes the club hosts appear very much like the scammers you keep reporting on.

It would be a kindness if this sort of click bait headline was ended.
 
Why only South Australia? Centrelink / Services Australia is a Federal Government agency so how does S.A. the only State receive this extra payment?
Quite confusing indeed. The bold characters caught my attention and I wasted my precious Sunday morning time reading the disappointing news that only South Australia (Is it the new God's country?) would benefit from the concessions.
 
Quite confusing indeed. The bold characters caught my attention and I wasted my precious Sunday morning time reading the disappointing news that only South Australia (Is it the new God's country?) would benefit from the concessions.
No, WA is, lol.
We have great concessions, much better than SA.
 
These types of concessions are paid by State Governments, not Federal, and therefore differ from State to State.
WA and Qld appear to be the most generous, other States not as much, but all States seem to have some concessions.
Glad I live in good old WA.
With the amount of people complaining in here about these concessions, I don't think they are reading any of your posts, they're just going from the main story and coming to the comments to complain 🧐
 
With the amount of people complaining in here about these concessions, I don't think they are reading any of your posts, they're just going from the main story and coming to the comments to complain 🧐
I was thinking the same, must-have repeated myself more than a dozen times, lol.
Still I understand it must be frustrating for those living in other states where their government isn't so generous.Times are tough and everybody can do with a helping hand.
Did google some of the other states as well.
Victoria and NSW don't appear to have very generous concessions.
My son wants me to move to NSW to be closer to them but I would be something like $2,000 worse off per year because of the concessions I would miss out on here in WA.
 
Your welcome. At least SA are finally coming to the party.
I've lived in Victor Harbour and also Murray Bridge in the past, they never had any concessions then.
I don't think any state has as many as WA.
I salute you, mylittletibbies! You spell Victor Harbour correctly! I am looking at moving house soon and considering a return to the south coast of SA, but can’t even think of living in a town, however nice, that is an American typo. You are braver than I am.
 
I salute you, mylittletibbies! You spell Victor Harbour correctly! I am looking at moving house soon and considering a return to the south coast of SA, but can’t even think of living in a town, however nice, that is an American typo. You are braver than I am.
Have always spelt it that way, get so sick of yankee "lazy" spelling.
I actually was in McCracken so didn't have to spell VH very often.Y'all have a good day now, lol.
 
Shame on you SDC. You should advise readers at the start of the article it is only for SA residence on Centerlink benifits! I have stopped reading Ur articles as the are decieving and too long in content! The only things I read now are the jokes!
 
A soon as I read the headline I know it couldn't have anything to do with the woeful poxy bloody Victorian Labour Party. I think any future ten times removed will still be paying off the debts incurred by the megalomaniac Andrews. Without any current attempt by the current government seeming to not make any attempt to rein it in. Plus I was under the impression that Centrelink was a Federal Government Department?
If God forbid we have an elected LNP Federal govt, be prepared for the INDUE CARD to be implemented to ALL Centrelink recipients across Australia.

They, the Libs have publically said so, all is in place and the investors, many who are current and ex Lib MPs are no doubt foaming with glee at the massive profiteering via interest on OUR held back payments to come their way.

Does anyone in their right mind wish to see this card? I do understand that there are certain social demographics that may benefit from a non permanent supported income management plan , which should be on a case by case basis...NOT this card implemented across the board for ALL in receipt of a Centrelink payment.

But with an election brewing they, the LNP and our wilfully biased media are sounding 'crickets' about it.
 
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Was annoyed to find it was for SA residents only half way through the article. I thought catchy bylines were only for tabloid fodder.
 
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If God forbid we have an elected LNP Federal govt, be prepared for the INDUE CARD to be implemented to ALL Centrelink recipients across Australia.

They, the Libs have publically said so, all is in place and the investors, many who are current and ex Lib MPs are no doubt foaming with glee at the massive profiteering via interest on OUR held back payments to come their way.

Does anyone in their right mind wish to see this card? I do understand that there are certain social demographics that may benefit from a non permanent supported income management plan , which should be on a case by case basis...NOT this card implemented across the board for ALL in receipt of a Centrelink payment.

But with an election brewing they, the LNP and our wilfully biased media are sounding 'crickets' about it.
That one scares me, I know some places in Australia already have it, I think some Aboriginal communities have it to stop them buying booze, but it doesn't work, they get around it somehow.
I can see people buying up things then taking them back for a cash refund or to be put onto their credit/debit cards, iv'e heard of that being done too. The shops don't care how they refund someone, as long as it's done!
 
Don't know about all the other states but WA have plenty of concessions,
e.g.
50% off council rates (capped at $750)
50% off water rates and usage
Discount on electricity
Discount on car registration
If you live 100kms or further from the CBD you receive a $675 fuel card every year.
Discount for entry to National Parks
50% off Emergency Services
Levy
Free drivers licence for age pensioners
Free public transport all to weekend and 9to3 weekdays
and that's only the ones I can think of off the top of my head
Far more than a "possibility".
WA has some great help for seniors .
Council rates capped at $750 , my rates in NSW are $480 every 3 months and that includes a rebate of $100

Water bills we get $200 off a year

Electricity around $230 off a year

Public transport capped at $2.60 travel each day

Car registration is free although no discount on the ctp greenslip

Free drivers licence and fishing licence
 
I find the fuel card of the most benefit.
As my daughter is on the disability pension she qualifies for one also. $1,350 worth of fuel each year is very helpful as she has a lot of hospital visits.
Along with that I think our PATS (Patients Assisted Travel Scheme) is the most generous
I received about $85 for each trip to the hospital, about a 340km round trip.
 
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i feel this is so wrong we all are finding it hard to manage why should they get this what have they does to get extra cash . i am on a pension and renting i pay 1,060 a fourtnight out of my money and only have 100 to last until my next penison my famly have to support me with food and electricity i wont be voting for him next voting time we all have worked and paid our taxes so we all shoud have the same right as SA PEOPLE HOPE MOST OF YOU FEEL THE SAME AS I DO
 
i feel this is so wrong we all are finding it hard to manage why should they get this what have they does to get extra cash . i am on a pension and renting i pay 1,060 a fourtnight out of my money and only have 100 to last until my next penison my famly have to support me with food and electricity i wont be voting for him next voting time we all have worked and paid our taxes so we all shoud have the same right as SA PEOPLE HOPE MOST OF YOU FEEL THE SAME AS I DO
This money is being given to them by their STATE government, not the Federal government.
I don't know where you live but if you google "Pensioner Discounts for ???" you will find out what your state pays.
I'm pretty sure all states gave an electricity relief payment this year along with a federal government relief. Did you apply?
 
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Victorian Labor under Chairman Dan has virtually bankrupted Victoria. But don't worry. At the next election Victorians will re-elect Labor so that this fine set of Socialist-Communists can finish the job and really bankrupt Victoria.

There will be a fire sale and who knows? There will be great joy amoung these Socialist-Communists because the CCP, care of the PRC, will make sure to buy up all of it and we can all be part of the Belt and Road Intiative which inspires Xi Jinping so much.

This may really please Albanese greatly because it will afford him a major distraction by using the ABC propaganda machine along with channels 7, 9 and 10 for his total economic incompetence and will give him a greater chance of being re-elected.

A major win-win for the Labor Socialist-Communists, don't you think? Think of all the freebies we're all going to get and no-one will complain! We won't need to vote any more. Simply put, free speech will be prohibited, protesters will be criminals, and there will be no other political parties to vote for. Fantastic, right?!?

Once all of Australia has been bankrupted by Albo-nomics we'll be just fine because we have the CCP safety net to catch us all! All we have to do is learn how to learn to read and write Mandrin and simplified Chinese characters. How's that to stimulate your brain rejuvenation? We really live in great times...
 
Victorian Labor under Chairman Dan has virtually bankrupted Victoria. But don't worry. At the next election Victorians will re-elect Labor so that this fine set of Socialist-Communists can finish the job and really bankrupt Victoria.

There will be a fire sale and who knows? There will be great joy amoung these Socialist-Communists because the CCP, care of the PRC, will make sure to buy up all of it and we can all be part of the Belt and Road Intiative which inspires Xi Jinping so much.

This may really please Albanese greatly because it will afford him a major distraction by using the ABC propaganda machine along with channels 7, 9 and 10 for his total economic incompetence and will give him a greater chance of being re-elected.

A major win-win for the Labor Socialist-Communists, don't you think? Think of all the freebies we're all going to get and no-one will complain! We won't need to vote any more. Simply put, free speech will be prohibited, protesters will be criminals, and there will be no other political parties to vote for. Fantastic, right?!?

Once all of Australia has been bankrupted by Albo-nomics we'll be just fine because we have the CCP safety net to catch us all! All we have to do is learn how to learn to read and write Mandrin and simplified Chinese characters. How's that to stimulate your brain rejuvenation? We really live in great times...
 

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