Government revives energy bill support during COVID-19 lockdown

The Berejiklian government has re-introduced a temporary measure that increases the amount households can apply for to help meet their energy bills during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Eligible applicants can secure as much as $1600 a year to pay for their gas and electricity costs, up from the standard annual maximum of $1200.

The government said it would review the duration of the increase “in light of lockdown circumstances”.

The NSW government is re-introducing support for households struggling to pay for their energy during the COVID-19 lockdown. Credit:Frances Mocnik

Successful applicants for the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance have to show they are going without basic needs in order to pay an energy bill, or that they risk being disconnected if they don’t pay.

“The current COVID outbreak has put an increased strain on some household budgets, with more of us staying at home during these winter months,” Energy Minister Matt Kean said. “In this difficult time, we want to make sure households in NSW not only keep the lights on but keep their families safe, warm and comfortable.”

EAPA representatives can also help customers to contact their energy retailers to get customers onto hardship plans, further protecting customers, he said.

The government announced a similar plan last year, tapping into $30 million of extra support.

According to a government response to questions about last year’s assistance, the EAPA scheme gave out 366,000 vouchers worth about $18.3 million to some 58,859 electricity and gas customers who met the hardship criteria.

That outlay was 27 per cent higher than during the 2019-20 year, the government said.

Peter Hannam writes on environment issues for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

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