Yahoo Finance You may be eligible for this $180 payment
Families living in NSW may be eligible for an $180 energy rebate designed to help people with children cover the cost of their energy bills.
To be eligible for the rebate, you must be a recipient of the Family Tax Benefit, which is an income-tested Centrelink payment designed to help with the cost of caring for children.
To secure the Family Energy Rebate, individuals must also be NSW residents and be the account holder with their energy retailer.
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If this sounds like you, you’ll need to apply for this rebate by 30 June 2022.
If you don’t live in the NSW, the good news is most other states and territories offer concessions and rebates for energy users.
The Australian Energy Regulator recommended talking to your retailer to identify government concessions and rebates that you might be eligible for.
These rebates are typically targeted at low income earners, pensioners and individuals with medical conditions, but some are available to a wider cohort.
In Victoria, for example, the state government has decided to hand out $250 to any household that logs into its Energy Compare website.
Calling it the “easiest $250 you'll ever pocket”, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said the payment was designed to encourage people to compare their energy deals and secure a better price.
People don’t actually have to switch retailers but just use the website to compare their energy plan with other options to qualify for the $250.
Energy is getting more expensive
Household budgets were already tight due to the soaring cost of living and now people will likely have to contend with higher energy costs.
Australians can expect to see a $100 hike in their annual energy costs, according to the latest report from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
That’s because wholesale electricity prices have more than doubled in the past 12 months, and retailers will likely pass on these higher costs to customers in July when electricity prices are reset.
Shopping around is one of the best ways to keep your energy bills down, with Finder analysis showing that switching energy providers could save households up to $415 each year.
Other energy saving tips include turning appliances off at the plug, closing curtains and doors to minimise heat loss and installing solar.
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