$800 electricity payments offered as state doubles cost-of-living assistance

The South Australian Government has doubled its emergency electricity support as part of its Cost of Living Support package. The program is available to vulnerable households experiencing financial hardship.

The Emergency Electricity Payment Program benefit amount was increased from $400 to $800 on July 1. The program’s eligibility criteria were also changed to remove the previous $2,000 debt cap, which prevented some people from accessing the payment.

The state government has also increased the frequency of emergency payments, which are now made every two years, instead of every three years. It is estimated that more than 1,300 households will benefit from these changes each year.

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Social Services Minister Nat Cook said the extension would provide “much needed support” to households on low and fixed incomes.

“The expansion of the electricity payment system is one of the important reforms identified in the review, and this increased payment is available from 1 July – as winter sets in and households use expensive electrical appliances,” Cook said.

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The changes are in addition to the one-off $243.90 payment the government made to households last month as a cost-of-living relief.

The government has also doubled cost of living reduction payments for renters and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders so they receive the same amount as homeowners. All eligible recipients will now receive $255.60, which will be paid from August.

All Australian households will also benefit from a $300 energy rebate from this month, as announced in the Federal Budget.

Who is eligible for payment?

The South Africa Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme is available to those who have electricity debt and are at risk of having their electricity cut off, or who have already been cut off.

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You should contact a financial advisor to request payment. They will assess your financial situation before submitting a request on your behalf.

You can find more information and contact a financial advisor here.

What do other states propose?

Other state governments are offering similar energy payment assistance to those who are behind on their bills.

Here’s a state-by-state look:

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