General News
16 February, 2023
Locals already feel benefits of utility relief scheme
Residents may be eligible to apply for the Victorian Government’s utility grant relief scheme, which provides relief payments toward overdue energy, gas or water bills — something that’s already benefitting a local resident. The grant provides...
Residents may be eligible to apply for the Victorian Government’s utility grant relief scheme, which provides relief payments toward overdue energy, gas or water bills — something that’s already benefitting a local resident.
The grant provides help to pay a mains electricity, gas or water bill that’s overdue due to a temporary financial crisis and is eligible to those holding a pensioner concession card, health care card or veterans’ affairs gold card.
The grant is also available if you or someone in your house has experienced family violence, there’s been a recent decrease in income, you have had high unexpected costs for essential items or the cost of shelter is more than 30 percent of your household income.
The amount of the grant is based on the amount you owe at the time of application as well as the reasons given for applying for the grant, with a maximum payment of $650 on each type of utility in a two-year period available, or $1300 for households with a single source of energy.
Maryborough resident Ian Whitehead has been accessing the grant for around four months and said it’s an initiative that would benefit many in the community.
“If you ask anybody if they’ve had an unexpected expense in the last year, can anyone really say no? Especially with all the floods and water damage people have experienced,” he said.
“For us, our gas and electricity prices have almost doubled in recent times which meant we were paying an extra $400 a month, it’s a lot of money for us and for a lot of people.
“This is really a no-brainer I think, it’s something that looks too good to be true but it is actually true.”
The grant can be applied for either online or by calling your service providers and Mr Whitehead said the process was simple.
“The application process is incredibly simple, it just involves a 10 minute phone call to your providers,” he said.
“The application is as simple as picking up the telephone, calling your providers and asking to be on the utility relief grant scheme.”
To apply for the grant either head online or call your electricity, gas or water retailer and request an application form to complete.
For more information on the grant and to apply, head to services.dffh.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme.