A utility relief grant for paying overdue energy or water bills is available to low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship.
The state government utility relief grant provides help to pay a mains electricity, gas or water bill that is overdue due to a temporary financial crisis.
Approved applicants can receive a maximum of $650 on each utility type in a two-year period, or $1300 for households with a single source of energy.
Utility relief grant
- Grants for paying overdue energy or water bills
- Available to renters and homeowners
- Application form on request from your electricity, gas or water retailer
- Application forms can be completed online
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Who can apply for the utility relief grant
An account holder who has one of the following eligible concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.
If you don’t have one of these cards but are part of a low-income household, you may also be able to apply.
Your retailer will ask you some questions to check if you are eligible before issuing a form.
The utility relief grant is available to renters and homeowners.
Criteria for the grant
You must show that you have no way of paying the account without assistance and are at risk of disconnection, and you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You or someone in your household has experienced family violence.
- You have had a recent decrease in income, for example, job loss.
- You have had high unexpected costs for essential items.
- The cost of shelter is more than 30% of your household income.
How much is the grant
The amount of the utility relief grant is based on the amount you owe at the time of application. It is also based on the reasons you have given for applying in your application form.
You can apply for separate grants for each utility (electricity, gas and water).
For more information, head here.
