Energy bill relief has arrived for eligible Central Coast households and small businesses with Labor’s Energy Bill Relief Fund kicking in on July 31.
Most eligible households – those with a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card, a DVA Gold Card or life support equipment who already receive a NSW electricity rebate from their energy retailer – will automatically receive a rebate on their bills.
Eligible small businesses – which must be on a separately metered business tariff and consume less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity per year – will receive $650 of relief in the 2023-24 financial year.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the targeted payment would be welcome news for households and businesses grappling with cost-of-living pressures.
“Times are tough out there,” she said.
“This program, these direct measures, are for people doing it toughest: our families, our low-income households, pensioners, self-funded retirees and small businesses
“Many are needing the assistance of wide shoulders to bear the weight of the financial load.”
Tesch is encouraging eligible people who won’t automatically receive the Energy Bill Relief to apply.
“I want every household and small business that is eligible, to get the support they are entitled to,” she said.
“Eligible small businesses who are a retail customer don’t need to do anything.
“Energy retailers will automatically apply the energy bill relief to their electricity account (if eligible) from July 31.
“Eligible small businesses who are part of an embedded network (e.g. in a shopping centre) will be able to apply from October.”
Energy bill relief is also being provided to some people who are not eligible for existing NSW energy rebates.
Customers who do not receive a NSW energy rebate but receive the Carer Allowance, or hold a Low Income Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card, will be contacted by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs from September with information about how to apply.
Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the Australian and NSW Governments were providing targeted energy relief for those who need it most.
“The Albanese Government understands that Australians are doing it tough,” he said.
“In our recent Federal budget, the government announced a range of targeted cost-of-living relief; this included energy bill relief that will assist around 1.6 million households in NSW.
“The Federal Government will continue to work alongside the State Government to help ease the cost of living and provide targeted relief.”
Owner and director of Spices29 restaurant in Woy Woy, Nelson Fernandes, said the rebate will be a practical support for Central Coast businesses.
“Every business is needing support at this time, with prices going up on many fronts – from vegetables, to dairy, to meat … as well as interest rates,” he said.
“Our customers are feeling the pinch, too – they are thinking carefully before they are eating out.
“This energy bill relief will help us sustain our business.”
For more information on available energy relief payments, visit: https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes/national-energy-bill-relief.
Source:
State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid
Hopefully things will become an annual event for those doing it tough.