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Energy | February 04, 2022

Extension to $250 power grant a bonus

More households across the Lowan electorate will have an opportunity to apply for the $250 Power Savings Bonus payment after the program was extended by five months.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the extension to June 30 meant thousands more households in regional and rural Victoria would now be able to apply for the one-off payment, helping to cover the cost of skyrocketing electricity bills.

“The Andrews Labor government has overseen huge increases in energy prices, so continuing the Power Saving Bonus scheme is the least they can do to help people access some financial relief, particularly after the difficulties of the past two years,” Ms Kealy said.

“Following the government’s poor promotion of the program last year, I wrote out to more than 10,000 households across the Lowan electorate to ensure people knew about the program and how to apply.

“Since then my office has received dozens of calls and emails from people saying they would not have otherwise known about the assistance available and that they were so pleased to be able to access a little bit of help.

“This one-off payment of $250 can make a world of difference to households struggling to make ends meet.

“A huge thank you to our fantastic neighbourhood houses who have done an amazing job in providing support to people who needed help applying for the bonus over the internet.

“I would encourage anyone who is eligible and has not yet taken up this grant offer to get in touch with them.”

The $250 one-off rebate is accessible for Victorian electricity account holders who hold a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or receive payments under one of the following concession programs:

• Centrelink Pensioner Concession
• JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy
• Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession 

Eligible concession card holders who haven’t already made a claim are now able apply for the one-off $250 Power Savings Bonus at https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/ until 30 June 2022.