We’ve reached winter again and as the heaters turn back on, gas and electricity bills can skyrocket as we all try to keep warm.
Added bills only hurt those already struggling to make ends meet as Victoria endures another lockdown without the assistance of JobKeeper.
But did you know that some people are able to apply for a grant to ease the stresses of bills with a $250 power saving bonus?
The grant applies for pensioner concession card holders and some health care card holders, including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy and abstudy recipients.
For more information, vivist: https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
Another avenue from the state government is the utility relief grant scheme, which provides help to pay a mains electricity, gas or water bill that is overdue due to a temporary financial crisis.
The funding is available to pensioner concession card holders, health care card holders, Veterans’ affairs gold card holders or are part of a low-income household.
The grant offers a maximum of $650 on each utility type in a two-year period (or $1300 for households with a single source of energy – such as electricity only). You can apply for separate grants for each utility (electricity, gas, water).
Phone your electricity, gas or water retailer to request an application. Your retailer will then ask some preliminary questions before starting your application. Alternatively, you can phone the concessions information line on 1800 658 521.
This grant is paid to your retailer, who will credit the amount against your outstanding debt. Applications can take up to four to six weeks to process.
For more information, visit: https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme
