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$800 electricity payments offered as state doubles cost-of-living support
The South Australian government said the payment is targeted to those who need it most.
The South Australian government has doubled its emergency electricity payment, as part of its cost-of-living support measures. The scheme is available to vulnerable households who are facing financial hardship.
The Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme payment amount was boosted to $800, up from $400, on July 1. The scheme’s eligibility criteria was also changed to remove the previous debt cap of $2,000, which made some people unable to access the payment.
The state government has also increased the frequency of the emergency payment to every two years, up from every three years. It’s estimated more than 1,300 households will benefit from the changes each year.
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Human Services Minister Nat Cook said the expansion would offer “much needed support” for households on low and fixed incomes.
“Expanding the electricity payment scheme is among important reforms identified during the review, and this increased payment is available from 1 July – as winter is kicking in and households are running costly electrical appliances,” Cook said.
Do you have a cost-of-living story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com
The changes are on top of the government’s once-off cost-of-living concession payment of $243.90 delivered to households last month.
The government has also doubled the Cost Of Living Concession payments for tenants and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders so they get paid the same amount as homeowners. All eligible recipients will now get $255.60, which will be made from August.
All Aussie households will also be receiving a $300 energy rebate from this month, as announced in the federal budget.
Who is eligible for the payment?
The SA Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme is available to those who have an electricity debt and who are at risk of their electricity being disconnected, or who have already been disconnected.
You need to contact a financial counsellor to apply for the payment. They will assess your financial situation before lodging an application on your behalf.
You can find out more information and contact a financial counsellor here.
What do the other states offer?
Other state governments offer similar energy payment assistance to those falling behind on their bills.
Here is a state-by-state roundup:
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