$500 budget electricty

[bunyip]

In the budget they said people on DSP and pensions get $500 to help with electricity, how is that paid, do we need to do anything to apply for it, is it a cash payment or is the money taken off our bills by the electricty companies for pensioners, also in the budget they said there would be an increase in rent assistance, do DSPs get that, ?

[bear]

Who gets the $500?

The Treasurer has confirmed in an exclusive interview with news.com.au that relief will be targeted to pensioners, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders and households receiving income support including Family Tax Benefit A and B.

“It will make the bill smaller,’’ the Treasurer told news.com.au. “That means the electricity part of the CPI (consumer price index) is smaller.

“In most states and territories the retailers will take it off your bill. For most people it’s in the third quarter of the bill. This is all about taking some of the sting out of higher electricity prices.”

More than five million households will qualify for the $1.5 billion scheme, which will be rolled out in time to cover bills in the second half of the year.

That money will be matched by the states who will also tip in the same amount, taking the total relief to $3 billion.

www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/winners-and-losers-of-governments-500-electricity-bill-relief-handout-revealed/news-story/96cb12deb9e70499f0470d526b299cd7

Excerpt:- Rent assistance

The maximum rate of commonwealth rent assistance will increase by 15%, in an attempt to help people on government payments who are paying high rents. The Treasury said nearly 76% of people on rent assistance were paying over the cap, and the $2.7bn measure would benefit 1.1m households.

Both new rates will begin from 20 September, pending legislation passing parliament, and will be further indexed the same day.

www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/09/federal-budget-2023-welfare-cost-of-living-crisis-relief-plan-jobseeker-youth-allowance-increase-rent-assistance-affordable-housing-australia

[thebruce]

Jun 17, 2023 5:59:57 GMT 7 bunyip said:

In the budget they said people on DSP and pensions get $500 to help with electricity, how is that paid, do we need to do anything to apply for it, is it a cash payment or is the money taken off our bills by the electricty companies for pensioners

It varies from state to state in exactly how it is paid but essentially it will be gifted to the energy companies via a credit onto the customer's bills.  All this will do will camouflage the energy price increases scheduled for July 1st.  Australia, has so much gas, so much Uranium and so much land for solar and windfarms yet has the highest energy prices.  Something is not right...

[bear]

“That means the electricity part of the CPI (consumer price index) is smaller.

Looks like creative accounting to me!

Making it look like the CPI is lower in all spheres where possible through measures such as this will also make it appear that the CPI in general is lower, when it may in fact not be; thus keeping any welfare increases to the bare minimum too. Lies, damned lies & statistics!

Yep, call me skeptical; cheers 🐻

[mspurple]

Just wanted to mention that the $250 power saving bonus for electricity is also available, you do have to apply for it and can do so if you have an elec account in your name.

[bear]

Jun 17, 2023 15:05:24 GMT 7 mspurple said:

Just wanted to mention that the $250 power saving bonus for electricity is also available, you do have to apply for it and can do so if you have an elec account in your name.

Specifically in Victoria mspurple; is that correct? Cheers 🐻

[mspurple]

Jun 17, 2023 16:33:11 GMT 7 bear said:

Jun 17, 2023 15:05:24 GMT 7 mspurple said:

Just wanted to mention that the $250 power saving bonus for electricity is also available, you do have to apply for it and can do so if you have an elec account in your name.

Specifically in Victoria mspurple ; is that correct? Cheers 🐻

Oh sorry, I am not sure if it is available everywhere but it is available to account holders in Vic.  

[anthonydsp]

Jun 18, 2023 8:03:34 GMT 7 mspurple said:

Jun 17, 2023 16:33:11 GMT 7 bear said:

Specifically in Victoria mspurple ; is that correct? Cheers 🐻

Oh sorry, I am not sure if it is available everywhere but it is available to account holders in Vic.  

Yes it is Google Victoria energy bonus it will get you to a website called Victoria energy compare and you apply through that

[bear]

In Queensland

Queenslanders will pay less for electricity in 2023–24 through the Cost of Living Rebate, with households receiving one of the following:

$700 Cost of Living Rebate on electricity bills for vulnerable households, plus a further $372 under the Queensland Electricity Rebate Scheme, bringing total rebates for Queenslanders doing it toughest to $1,072

$550 Cost of Living Rebate on electricity bills for all other Queensland households.

For most households, the rebate will be credited to electricity bills on a quarterly basis commencing from 1 July 2023. Exact timing will depend on retailers’ system requirements and individual billing cycles.

www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/concessions/energy-concessions/cost-of-living-rebate

[mspurple]

Jun 18, 2023 20:40:51 GMT 7 anthonydsp said:

Jun 18, 2023 8:03:34 GMT 7 mspurple said:

Oh sorry, I am not sure if it is available everywhere but it is available to account holders in Vic.  

Yes it is Google Victoria energy bonus it will get you to a website called Victoria energy compare and you apply through that

I have already been paid mine.  I found out about this bonus payment through my bank while setting up their app on my phone, I hate to think how many others on DSP or other welfare payments do not know about this bonus payment.