In Australia, local governments offer many schemes and rebate programs to help pay your energy bills a little easier. One such scheme is the Low Income Household Rebate scheme in New South Wales (NSW).
If you’re looking into rebate schemes run by the NSW government and want to understand this energy rebate scheme better, keep reading now.
What Is the Low Income Household Rebate?
The Low Income Household Rebate scheme, run by the NSW government, is designed to help low-income households with their energy bills. Eligible households can receive a rebate up to a total of $285 per annum. The rebate is paid as a credit on each quarterly energy bill.
The amount you are credited is calculated each day, starting from the day you call your retailer and apply. Each household can only receive one Low-Income Household Rebate per financial year. It is available if you are a retail or on-supply customer. This energy rebate can only be applied to your energy costs at your principal residence.
To apply for the Low Income Household Rebate, you should first check you are eligible (see below), then call your electricity retailer and ask for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate directly. You will then need to present your proof of eligibility to them before it is applied.
How Can Households Benefit From the Low Income Household Rebate?
This energy rebate helps those eligible to cover their electricity bill’s costs. With up to a $285 rebate per financial year, customers can pay their electricity bill more easily, giving them peace of mind.
In Australia, there are a number of schemes like this one that help its residents more easily afford necessary amenities and have more energy-efficient households. If your electricity bill is currently unmanageable, consider looking into this scheme to find out if you, too, can benefit.
Eligible Customers: Low-Income Household Rebate
You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the low-income rebate.
- Be a resident of New South Wales (NSW)
- Be an account holder of an energy retailer
- Hold one of the following:
- A Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) or Services Australia
- A Health Care Card issued by Services Australia
- DVA Gold Card marked with either ‘War Widow’ or ‘War Widower Pension,’ or ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ (TPI) or ‘DIsability Pension’ (EDA)
It is important to note that other conditions may still apply, and even if you meet all of these criteria, you could still be rejected from the scheme.
On-supply customers and retail customers will need to apply using different forms.
If you are an on-supply customer, it means an embedded network supplies your electricity. This could be a residential community, retirement village, or strata scheme. In this case, you will receive your electricity bill as an invoice. You will need to apply as an on-supply customer.
For those who are retail customers or are the named person on the electricity account, you should use the retail customer application form. You can apply online.
What If I Am Not Eligible for the Low Income Household Rebate Program?
If you are not eligible for the low-income rebate, many other rebate schemes are offered by the NSW government. These include the following.
- Family Energy Rebate: This offers credit of up to $180 annually for people with dependent children.
- Gas Rebate: For help covering a household’s natural gas bill. This scheme offers up to $110 per annum.
- Senior’s Energy Rebate: Up to $200 of credit on your electricity bill per annum, available to older Australians.
- Life Support Rebate: For households where a resident uses energy-intensive medical equipment to keep them alive.
- Medical Energy Rebate: For households where a family member cannot self-regulate their body temperature during extreme hot and cold conditions.
Conclusion: Understanding the Low-Income Household Rebate
The Low Income Household Rebate scheme helps NSW residents pay their energy bills by offering credit of up to $285 per year. It can be applied for through your energy supplier or online. You must meet the eligibility criteria to receive this rebate.
For more information on energy and cost-saving schemes, contact Ecosaver today and speak with an expert.
