Utility Relief Grant Scheme

1
Utility Relief Grant Scheme

• Changes to the guidelines
• - effective July 1st 2006.

2
Frequency of assistance

• The Utility Relief Grant is no longer a once-off
  grant.
• Applicants may apply for assistance every 2
  years.

3
Concession Cardholder?

• Assistance is available to low-income households
  who either hold a current concession card or who
  are experiencing financial hardship and are
  registered with their utility companys hardship
  program.
• Special conditions apply for non-concession card
  households.

4
Special Conditions

• Non-concession card households must be registered
  with their utility companys hardship program and
  their income must be no more than the equivalent
  to the Commonwealth maximum income rate for part
  age pensioners.
• (information can be obtained from the Centrelink
  publication A guide to Australian Government
  payments).

5
Eligibility criteria

• A significant increase in energy/water usage.
• A recent decrease in household income.
• High unexpected expenses on essential items.
• The above criteria must have occurred within the
  last 12 months.
• Cost of shelter exceeds 30 of the household
  income.
• Cost of utility usage exceeds 10 of the
  household income.