CONCERNED about the cost of staying warm in South Gippsland this winter then you’re not alone. The benchmark price for electricity in Victoria will go up by one per cent or $20 for domestic customers from July 1 bringing the average annual bill to a whopping $1675.
“Try sleeping in the cold, or being homeless of no fault of your own,” posted one reader to the Sentinel-Times Facebook page.
“What I’d give to have a fireplace and a warm house,” she said. “Think yourself lucky having a blanket.”
“Can’t afford to pay for a bottle of gas, too expensive,” posted another reader. “l won’t be able to afford our heating.”
The main factor influencing the proposed price rise according to the State Government is higher wholesale electricity and network costs.
A payment difficulty framework has been created with a set of rules to better protect and support residential customers that may be anticipating or are already facing difficulties paying their energy bills.
Residential customers will only disconnected for non-payment of a bill as a last resort.
The purpose of the framework is to help residential customers avoid getting into debt and make it easier for residential customers to pay for their ongoing energy use, repay their debt when they have missed a bill, and lower their energy costs. If you need help staying on top of your energy bills then you can ask your energy company for assistance before things get out of control. The retailer must offer you at least three options, pay smaller amounts more often, change how often you pay or delay payment of a bill or pay in advance.
If you are eligible for a utility relief grant, your energy retailer must assist you to complete the application form and lodge the form on your behalf.
Electricity and gas companies cannot disconnect you if you owe less than $300.
If you have a complaint you are not able to resolve with your energy company you can call the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria on 1800 500 509.
Financial counsellors are also available to provide free, independent and confidential phone or face-to-face counselling sessions through the Financial Counselling Program administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria.
You can find a financial counsellor at moneysmart.vic.gov.au
You can also contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Relief grants for paying overdue energy or water bills are also available to low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship. Go to services.dffh.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme for more information.
It is also a great idea to check in with your energy company every 12 months to make sure your eligible concessions are still listed on your account.
Don’t forget to give your concession card details to your energy company anytime you get a new concession card, move to a new home or change energy companies, and don’t forget to check your bill for the best offer.
Your energy bill will tell you if there is a cheaper energy plan available for your home.
Look for the words ‘could you save money on another plan’ on your energy bill.
It’s a requirement from the Victorian Government to make energy companies responsible for giving you the cheapest energy plan available based on how you currently use electricity and gas.
A guide to the types of concessions on offer can be found at energyinfohub.org.au/energy-concessions.
