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Budget 2019: What will happen to power prices?

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Cats in front of heater Image: Getty Images

Learn how the Energy Assistance Payment will work.

What's changing?

A one-off sum, the Energy Assistance Payment, is being offered to some welfare recipients to help with the rising cost of power bills. Eligible couples will receive $125, while singles will get $75. An estimated 4 million households will receive the payment.

While energy policy are expected to be a major focus of the 2019 election campaign, no other specific policies to lower power prices were announced in the budget.

FULL GUIDE: How Budget 2019 will affect you

Who will this affect?

The payment will be made to any Australian resident in Australia as of 2 April 2019 and receiving one of the following pensions or support payments:

  • Age Pension
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Carer Payment
  • Parenting Payment Single
  • Veterans' Service Payment
  • Veterans' Income Support Supplement
  • Veterans' Disability Payments
  • War Widow(er)s Pension
  • Permanent Impairment Payments

Newstart recipients (people on unemployment benefits) weren't in the Budget papers list of those eligible for the payment, but the government subsequently said they would also be included.

When will the changes happen?

Assuming the legislation passes parliament, the payments would be made automatically into bank accounts of eligible recipients before 1 July 2019. This is a one-off payment.

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    LisApril 2, 2019

    Will Newstart allowance people still receive concession on their 3 monthly power bills?

      AvatarFinder
      JohnApril 3, 2019Finder

      Hi Lis,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      Newstart recipients (people on unemployment benefits) aren’t eligible for the payment. You may check with your local government on benefits that are still applicable to you. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

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