Additional electricity bill support for households

The State Government is providing more support for South Australians who need it most, with an expanded electricity payment scheme delivering up to $800 for vulnerable households. 

The expanded scheme, which is part of a $266.2 million cost of living package in this year’s State Budget, is set to benefit four times as many recipients, providing increased electricity bill relief for some of the state’s most vulnerable households.

The changes include:

• Doubling the maximum payment available from $400 to $800

• Removing the debt cap of $2,000 (which meant some people in need were missing out)

• Increasing the payment frequency to every two years, instead of three years, if required.

People seeking assistance must first work with their energy retailer. If needed, they can then work with a financial counsellor to make an application for payment.

The payments are made directly to the electricity retailer and are applied as credits on the customer’s electricity account to reduce their overall debt.

It is estimated more than 1,300 households will benefit annually from the improved scheme, compared to around 285 recipients in the 2023-24 financial year.

The changes to the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme are in addition to the one-off extra Cost of Living Concession payment of $243.90 delivered to eligible households last month.

The State Government has also delivered a doubling of Cost of Living Concession payments for tenants and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders this financial year.