Electricity, gas and water
If a client meets all the qualifications, an Advance Payment of Benefit may be made to assist with:
- outstanding electricity, gas and water bills or
- the cost of reconnecting electricity, gas and water supplies
Before approving applications, other ways of meeting the costs should be investigated.
If a client is having difficulty meeting their payments their electricity or gas company should be asked by the client to check whether they are on the correct tariff.
The retailer should assist the consumer to move to their desired tariff.
The client should also have discussed with the retailer any alternative payment options available to them such as:
- payment arrangements to recover debt within a reasonable timeframe
- prepayment meters
- smoothed payments
- regular direct credits
- redirection of income
Clients do not need to be at the stage of being disconnected to be granted an Advance Payment of Benefit for electricity or gas.
Client's should be encouraged to request assistance before their electricity and gas is threatened with disconnection and reconnection costs.
Disability Allowance or other Health Subsidy
You will need to determine if it is appropriate to make an Advance Payment of Benefit. when the costs for electricity or gas have already been included in existing Disability Allowance payments or other Health Subsidy.
Disability Allowance is only paid for the additional electricity, gas or heating costs a person has because of their disability (not the total cost).
An Advance Payment of Benefit can be considered if there is an immediate and essential need for electricity, gas or heating costs not covered by Disability Allowance or another Health Subsidy.
Where a portion of the costs was covered by Disability Allowance or another Health Subsidy, consider whether the client could reasonably have been expected to have paid that portion of the costs. If they could have, you may in your discretion decline to include those costs.
Payment
As a guideline, an Advance Payment of Benefit for electricity, gas and water should not be more than $200.
Utility disputes
If the client has a complaint about their energy or water company they can contact Utilities Disputes. See:
- Utilities Disputes Complaint form
Winter Energy Payment
If a client was paid Winter Energy Payment during the period that the client is seeking an Advance Payment of Benefit to assist with power or heating costs, this does not automatically stop clients from receiving assistance.
When the client has an immediate and essential need, Advance Payment of Benefit may be considered.
