More concession card holder set to benefit from Government’s $125 energy bonus scheme

A MOVE to extend the $125 special energy bonus scheme has been welcomed by the state’s peak social service body.

A MOVE to extend the $125 special energy bonus scheme to Tasmanian veterans, carers and disability pensioners has been welcomed by the state’s peak social service body.

Energy Minister Guy Barnett said all Aurora Energy account holders with a pensioners concession card would benefit thanks to an additional $500,000 State Government investment.

MORE: $125 POWER PAYMENT BOOST FOR STATE’S PENSIONERS

Mr Barnett said the Government had worked through the bonus with Aurora as part of identifying the households to receive the bonus.

“Aurora’s work to identify all the eligible aged pensioner households has resulted in a lower than the originally anticipated number,” he said.

“[It means] with the small increase in the scheme value, we are able to now include all pensioner concession card holders who are registered with Aurora Energy for a concession.”

Energy Minister Guy Barnett.

TasCOSS CEO Kym Goodes.

According the most recent ABS data, 21,500 Tasmanian households reported that they could not pay an electricity, phone or gas bill on time in the past 12 months.

TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes praised the Government’s pledge.

“TasCOSS raised the inequity of the original decision and argued strongly for the benefit to be shared across all Tasmanians households relying on income support payments,” she said.

“[The added] $125 for a low income household can be the difference between being able to put healthy food on the table or being able to afford an essential item for the kids for school.”

Cheques for eligible households will be automatically mailed to Aurora Energy account holders registered for an electricity concession.