Households struggling to pay their energy bills during COVID-19 now have access to additional financial support directly through Service NSW and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).
Minister for Energy, Matt Kean said the NSW Government had allocated $30 million to boost its emergency support Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme, more than doubling the budget for the Scheme next financial year.
“For ease of access, residential energy customers can now apply for EAPA vouchers directly through Service NSW and will be called for an assessment without having to leave their house,” Mr Kean said.
“I encourage people that need bill support during this tough time to head to the Service NSW website and register for an energy voucher assessment,” he said.
“The EAPA assessment threshold has been temporarily increased so people can receive up to $400 per assessment twice per year, compared to the normal amount of $300.”
Mr Kean said that during the assessment for EAPA vouchers, Public Service representatives would also contact energy retailers to assist customers onto hardship plans.
“We are expecting more people across NSW to need this emergency bill support as they are faced with unexpected changes to income and usage increases while working from home,” he said.
Further information on the EAPA Scheme can be accessed at this PS News link.
