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Utility relief grant scheme (including the non-mains utility relief grant scheme)

The utility relief grant scheme and the non-mains utility relief grant scheme provides assistance for domestic customers who are unable to pay their utility bills due to a temporary financial crisis.

Assistance may be provided to low-income households suffering a short-term (within last 12 months) financial crisis who are unable to pay for a current utility account or LP gas account and who are at risk of disconnection, restriction of supply, or non-supply of gas bottles.

The Utility Relief Grant Scheme is also available to eligible customers who experience difficulties paying for other non-mains sources such as carted water and heating oil. Some Asylum Seekers may also be eligible for the Utility Relief Grant Scheme.

Eligibility

You must hold at least one of the following concession cards:

Pensioner Concession Card; Health Care Card

You need to demonstrate that unexpected hardship has left you seriously short of money so that you cannot pay your utility bills without assistance and risk disconnection or non-supply, and meet one of the following criteria:

A significant increase in usage
A recent decrease in income, for example, loss of employment
High unexpected expenses on essential items
The cost of shelter is more than 30% of the household income
The cost of utility usage is more than 10% of the household income

Special conditions for non-concession card households

The account holder must be registered with their utility company's hardship program and the household's income must be no more than the equivalent to the Commonwealth maximum income rate for part age pensioners. (Information can be obtained from the Centrelink publication A Guide to Australian Government Payments)

How to apply

Application forms for the Utility Relief Grant Scheme or the Non-mains Utility Relief Grant Scheme can be obtained from your gas, electricity and water companies or your LP Gas supplier. Your application should provide in detail the circumstances that have led to your inability to pay the outstanding account.

More information

For information contact the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

Frequently asked questions

I'm having trouble paying my bills, can you help me?

If the bills are for water, electricity or gas you should, in the first instance, contact your provider and let them know you want to apply for the Utility Relief Grant Scheme.

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