Queensland families with a Commonwealth Health Care Card and asylum seekers can now apply for electricity concessions to save $330 a year on their energy bills.
Minister for Energy Mark Bailey said the extension of the concession which is currently available to Pensioner Concession Card holders, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Card holders or Queensland Seniors Card holders, will assist an extra 157,000 vulnerable Queenslanders.
“From today (April 1), Health Care Card holders and asylum seekers are eligible to receive a rebate of $330 a year,” Mr Bailey said.
“These groups will be able to contact their electricity retailer to apply for the concession, which will be back-dated to January 1 for eligible households.
“This payment of $330 per year will go a long way in helping vulnerable families with electricity costs.”
Mr Bailey said the changes were thanks to the State Government’s additional $170 million investment over four years to expand the current rebate in response to Queensland Productivity Commission findings.
To apply for the concession, households should call their electricity retailer and provide their Health Care Card or ImmiCard number.
The State Government also announced it has reformed the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme (HEEAS) to make it easier for households to access.
“HEEAS helps low-income households who are in short-term financial difficulty because of unexpected emergency expenses to get back on their feet through a one-off payment of up to $720 towards their energy account,” Mr Bailey said.
“The HEEAS application form has been simplified and shortened, and is now able to be provided electronically for customers if they wish”.
More information about eligibility and available assistance is available by calling 13-74-68, on the Queensland Government website or the Department of Energy website.
