Struggling to keep up with your energy bill? Here's how to claim up to $500 in power bill savings and other financial assistance!
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The cost of living in Australia is rising every year, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for households to keep up with the growing expenses, especially energy costs. According to recent reports, energy costs have surged by 20% for the second year in a row, leaving many struggling to make ends meet.
Fortunately, the government has promised an additional $1 billion in relief to help ease the financial burden for Australians. While only half of the states have announced new payments so far, there are still some programs that can put more money in your pocket.
For example, pension and welfare payments are expected to increase by 3.7% on March 20th, almost enough to keep up with inflation.
However, with organisations like Wesley Mission, Foodbank, and Salvation Army already reporting a sharp increase in people requesting assistance, it is still evident that many Aussies are still struggling to make ends meet.
So, if you’re a concession card holder or a self-funded retiree, it's crucial to stay informed about the government's relief programs and benefits.
Awareness of these programs and taking advantage of them can help you put more money in your pocket and make it easier to cover the rising cost of living.
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown:
VIC
Victoria announced a new round of its ‘$250 power saving bonus’ for households starting from 24 March. Billpayers can claim the bonus by visiting the government comparison website compare.energy.vic.gov.au. This is part of the Victorian government's initiative to encourage households to save on their energy bills.
Households who have already claimed one $250 bonus can claim another one after 24 March. Those who have not yet claimed one are encouraged to do so before the deadline and then claim another one after the new round starts.
According to a TikTok post, some commenters have been able to claim an extra $250 after moving houses between the time the bonus was announced and now. This has resulted in them receiving a total of $500 in this round.
Additionally, the state of Victoria provides various other payments for concession cardholders. These include an annual electricity concession of up to $500, which is 17.5% of electricity usage, and service costs up to annual bills of $3,000. There is also a winter gas concession of up to $300 and 17.5% of winter gas bills up to $1,734. Moreover, eligible households can receive up to 75% off on council rates and avail vouchers and discounts on registration, transport, and health.
To determine their eligibility, households can use the Victorian 'Savings Finder' online tool. With these various initiatives, the government of Victoria aims to provide financial relief to households and reduce their energy bills.
NSW
The upcoming state election in New South Wales (NSW) is set to bring some financial relief to eligible households. The Coalition has pledged to provide extra payments of at least $250 for those using the NSW Savings Finder website if re-elected on March 25th.
The government comparison website helps users find the best deals on household expenses such as electricity, gas, and insurance. Labor has countered with its own promise of a $250 payment, matched by another $250 from the federal government, for concession cardholders, Family Tax Benefit recipients, and self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
NSW already has several existing measures in place to support those in need, particularly concession cardholders, families, and some self-funded retirees. These include vouchers worth up to $1000 for families, the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme offering $50 vouchers up to $1600 per year, and a Low Income Household rebate of $285 per year.
The 'Energy Bill Buster' program also offers a free 3kw solar system or energy efficiency upgrades worth up to $4000 for those receiving the Low Income Household Rebate in exchange for trading in ten years' worth of rebates.
Other rebates available include the Gas Rebate of $110 per year, the Family Energy Rebate of $180 for Family Tax Benefit recipients, and the Seniors Rebate of $200 per year for self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
It is worth noting that the means testing for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card increased last year, making it important for eligible households to check if they qualify. Additionally, a range of discounts on tolls, registration, transport, and health services are available for eligible households.
QLD
The Queensland Government has yet to confirm whether it will revise the $175 cost of living rebate on energy bills this year. However, the rebate was automatically applied to all energy bills in 2022, providing some relief to Queensland households.
The Queensland Government also reminded residents that other concessions are available for those struggling to make ends meet. These include the Electricity Rebate, which offers $372.20 per year for eligible concession cardholders, and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate, which provides $80.77 annually.
In addition to these rebates, eligible concession cardholders can receive a 20% subsidy on council rates. Meanwhile, the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme provides up to $720 for those experiencing an unforeseen emergency or a short-term financial crisis.
Queenslanders can use the ‘Smart Savings’ concessions finder to determine what concessions they may qualify for.
While the cost of living rebate for energy bills remains uncertain, the Queensland Government is committed to supporting households through other means during these challenging times.
SA
South Australia has an energy bill relief program worth over $700 for its residents. This relief is provided to eligible concession cardholders, low-income households, and self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
To check eligibility, residents are encouraged to visit the Concessions SA website or call 1800 307 758.
In addition to payments for concession cardholders and self-funded retirees, the state also has other concessions for eligible households.
South Australia's Energy Bill concession offers up to $241.63 per annum for electricity and gas bills. At the same time, the Cost of Living Concession provides $449 for owner-occupiers and $224.60 for renters/self-funded retirees.
Moreover, a special energy discount offer is available for concession customers from Origin Energy, which offers 17% off electricity and 11% off gas, along with flexible payment plans and no late fees.
Residents are also encouraged to visit the Affordable SA website — a one-stop-shop for information run by The Salvation Army, with support from the government of South Australia.
WA
Residents eagerly await news on whether they will receive a $400 energy payment to help with power bills similar to last year. However, as of yet, there has been no announcement regarding the payment for this year.
The Concessions WA website lists available options for those needing assistance with their energy bills.
Among them are the Energy Assistance Payment, which is currently set at $318.37, the Dependent Child Rebate of $334.77 for the first child and $87.72 for each additional child, and the Air Conditioning Rebate of $68.68 per month for those residing in areas deemed high heat discomfort locations.
Additionally, the Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme is available to households facing financial hardship and at risk of disconnection, with grants of up to $960 per year.
While the $400 energy payment provided some relief to West Australians last year, it remains to be seen whether it will be offered again this year.
In the meantime, eligible households are encouraged to visit the Concessions WA website to explore their options.
ACT
The ACT Government offers discounts, rebates, and subsidies to pensioners and concession cardholders to help with their daily expenses. Eligible individuals can avail themselves of the Utilities Concession, which provides a $750 rebate from last year, plus a one-time bonus of $50.
In addition to the Utilities Concession, the government has more than 65 discounts, rebates, and subsidies for housing, rates, utilities, transport, health, and other essential services. To find out what you're eligible for, use the ACT Savings Finder tool, which is accessible online.
The Utilities Concession and other discounts are part of the ACT Government's commitment to supporting individuals facing financial challenges. Through these measures, the government aims to alleviate the burden of high living costs and provide greater access to essential services for those who most need them.
TAS
Tasmania is offering an Annual Electricity Concession of $574.73 per annum and a $119 Winter Bill Buster discount in 2022. Additionally, pensioners and concession cardholders can avail of a Heating allowance of $56 annually.
NT
The Northern Territory government has announced one of Australia’s most generous electricity concessions, with eligible pensioners and concession cardholders receiving up to $1200 per annum.
Non-government relief programs
Energy retailers, telcos, and banks offer hardship schemes for individuals with difficulty paying their bills. Enrolling in one of these programs makes individuals less likely to experience disconnection or harassment from debt collectors. Enrolling in these schemes may make individuals eligible for other financial assistance.
Various charities and not-for-profits, such as Foodbank, Vinnies, the Salvos, and Wesley Mission, provide free food, financial counselling, and other assistance to families in need. These organisations understand the importance of supporting those experiencing financial hardship and strive to provide aid to those who need it most.
With the help of non-government relief programs, individuals and families can receive the assistance they need to overcome financial difficulties and improve their quality of life.
There you have it! We recommend visiting the appropriate website to verify your eligibility and use every available payment because even small amounts can make a difference!
We also want to share with you that the SDC team is building a state-by-state guide on Pensioner Concession Card Benefits, including discounts on utilities, car registration, and public transportation programs. Stay tuned!
Fortunately, the government has promised an additional $1 billion in relief to help ease the financial burden for Australians. While only half of the states have announced new payments so far, there are still some programs that can put more money in your pocket.
For example, pension and welfare payments are expected to increase by 3.7% on March 20th, almost enough to keep up with inflation.
However, with organisations like Wesley Mission, Foodbank, and Salvation Army already reporting a sharp increase in people requesting assistance, it is still evident that many Aussies are still struggling to make ends meet.
So, if you’re a concession card holder or a self-funded retiree, it's crucial to stay informed about the government's relief programs and benefits.
Awareness of these programs and taking advantage of them can help you put more money in your pocket and make it easier to cover the rising cost of living.
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown:
Many Australians are struggling with paying their bills due to the skyrocketing cost of living. Credit: Pexels/Pixabay.
VIC
Victoria announced a new round of its ‘$250 power saving bonus’ for households starting from 24 March. Billpayers can claim the bonus by visiting the government comparison website compare.energy.vic.gov.au. This is part of the Victorian government's initiative to encourage households to save on their energy bills.
Households who have already claimed one $250 bonus can claim another one after 24 March. Those who have not yet claimed one are encouraged to do so before the deadline and then claim another one after the new round starts.
According to a TikTok post, some commenters have been able to claim an extra $250 after moving houses between the time the bonus was announced and now. This has resulted in them receiving a total of $500 in this round.
Additionally, the state of Victoria provides various other payments for concession cardholders. These include an annual electricity concession of up to $500, which is 17.5% of electricity usage, and service costs up to annual bills of $3,000. There is also a winter gas concession of up to $300 and 17.5% of winter gas bills up to $1,734. Moreover, eligible households can receive up to 75% off on council rates and avail vouchers and discounts on registration, transport, and health.
To determine their eligibility, households can use the Victorian 'Savings Finder' online tool. With these various initiatives, the government of Victoria aims to provide financial relief to households and reduce their energy bills.
NSW
The upcoming state election in New South Wales (NSW) is set to bring some financial relief to eligible households. The Coalition has pledged to provide extra payments of at least $250 for those using the NSW Savings Finder website if re-elected on March 25th.
The government comparison website helps users find the best deals on household expenses such as electricity, gas, and insurance. Labor has countered with its own promise of a $250 payment, matched by another $250 from the federal government, for concession cardholders, Family Tax Benefit recipients, and self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
NSW already has several existing measures in place to support those in need, particularly concession cardholders, families, and some self-funded retirees. These include vouchers worth up to $1000 for families, the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme offering $50 vouchers up to $1600 per year, and a Low Income Household rebate of $285 per year.
The 'Energy Bill Buster' program also offers a free 3kw solar system or energy efficiency upgrades worth up to $4000 for those receiving the Low Income Household Rebate in exchange for trading in ten years' worth of rebates.
Other rebates available include the Gas Rebate of $110 per year, the Family Energy Rebate of $180 for Family Tax Benefit recipients, and the Seniors Rebate of $200 per year for self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
It is worth noting that the means testing for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card increased last year, making it important for eligible households to check if they qualify. Additionally, a range of discounts on tolls, registration, transport, and health services are available for eligible households.
QLD
The Queensland Government has yet to confirm whether it will revise the $175 cost of living rebate on energy bills this year. However, the rebate was automatically applied to all energy bills in 2022, providing some relief to Queensland households.
The Queensland Government also reminded residents that other concessions are available for those struggling to make ends meet. These include the Electricity Rebate, which offers $372.20 per year for eligible concession cardholders, and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate, which provides $80.77 annually.
In addition to these rebates, eligible concession cardholders can receive a 20% subsidy on council rates. Meanwhile, the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme provides up to $720 for those experiencing an unforeseen emergency or a short-term financial crisis.
Queenslanders can use the ‘Smart Savings’ concessions finder to determine what concessions they may qualify for.
While the cost of living rebate for energy bills remains uncertain, the Queensland Government is committed to supporting households through other means during these challenging times.
SA
South Australia has an energy bill relief program worth over $700 for its residents. This relief is provided to eligible concession cardholders, low-income households, and self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
To check eligibility, residents are encouraged to visit the Concessions SA website or call 1800 307 758.
In addition to payments for concession cardholders and self-funded retirees, the state also has other concessions for eligible households.
South Australia's Energy Bill concession offers up to $241.63 per annum for electricity and gas bills. At the same time, the Cost of Living Concession provides $449 for owner-occupiers and $224.60 for renters/self-funded retirees.
Moreover, a special energy discount offer is available for concession customers from Origin Energy, which offers 17% off electricity and 11% off gas, along with flexible payment plans and no late fees.
Residents are also encouraged to visit the Affordable SA website — a one-stop-shop for information run by The Salvation Army, with support from the government of South Australia.
WA
Residents eagerly await news on whether they will receive a $400 energy payment to help with power bills similar to last year. However, as of yet, there has been no announcement regarding the payment for this year.
The Concessions WA website lists available options for those needing assistance with their energy bills.
Among them are the Energy Assistance Payment, which is currently set at $318.37, the Dependent Child Rebate of $334.77 for the first child and $87.72 for each additional child, and the Air Conditioning Rebate of $68.68 per month for those residing in areas deemed high heat discomfort locations.
Additionally, the Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme is available to households facing financial hardship and at risk of disconnection, with grants of up to $960 per year.
While the $400 energy payment provided some relief to West Australians last year, it remains to be seen whether it will be offered again this year.
In the meantime, eligible households are encouraged to visit the Concessions WA website to explore their options.
ACT
The ACT Government offers discounts, rebates, and subsidies to pensioners and concession cardholders to help with their daily expenses. Eligible individuals can avail themselves of the Utilities Concession, which provides a $750 rebate from last year, plus a one-time bonus of $50.
In addition to the Utilities Concession, the government has more than 65 discounts, rebates, and subsidies for housing, rates, utilities, transport, health, and other essential services. To find out what you're eligible for, use the ACT Savings Finder tool, which is accessible online.
The Utilities Concession and other discounts are part of the ACT Government's commitment to supporting individuals facing financial challenges. Through these measures, the government aims to alleviate the burden of high living costs and provide greater access to essential services for those who most need them.
TAS
Tasmania is offering an Annual Electricity Concession of $574.73 per annum and a $119 Winter Bill Buster discount in 2022. Additionally, pensioners and concession cardholders can avail of a Heating allowance of $56 annually.
NT
The Northern Territory government has announced one of Australia’s most generous electricity concessions, with eligible pensioners and concession cardholders receiving up to $1200 per annum.
Non-government relief programs
Energy retailers, telcos, and banks offer hardship schemes for individuals with difficulty paying their bills. Enrolling in one of these programs makes individuals less likely to experience disconnection or harassment from debt collectors. Enrolling in these schemes may make individuals eligible for other financial assistance.
Various charities and not-for-profits, such as Foodbank, Vinnies, the Salvos, and Wesley Mission, provide free food, financial counselling, and other assistance to families in need. These organisations understand the importance of supporting those experiencing financial hardship and strive to provide aid to those who need it most.
With the help of non-government relief programs, individuals and families can receive the assistance they need to overcome financial difficulties and improve their quality of life.
There you have it! We recommend visiting the appropriate website to verify your eligibility and use every available payment because even small amounts can make a difference!
We also want to share with you that the SDC team is building a state-by-state guide on Pensioner Concession Card Benefits, including discounts on utilities, car registration, and public transportation programs. Stay tuned!
