What Is The $2600 Energy Rebate Victoria How Do You Apply?

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What is the $2600 Victorian Energy Rebate?

The $2600 Victorian Energy Rebate is a financial assistance program introduced by the Victorian government to help eligible households manage energy costs. It provides a one-off payment of $250 to concession card holders and $250 to pensioner concession card holders, for a total rebate amount of $500.

The rebate is available to Victorians who hold certain concession cards as of 1 July 2022. Eligible concession cards include:

Pensioner Concession Card

Health Care Card
Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card

The rebate covers electricity and gas bills. It can be used to pay existing bills or arrears, or as a credit on your energy account to reduce future bills. The aim of the rebate is to ease cost of living pressures and make energy more affordable for eligible Victorians.

The rebate is administered by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). Applications first opened on 1 July 2022 and will remain open until 30 June 2024 or until funds are fully allocated.

Who is Eligible for the Rebate?

To be eligible for the $2600 Victorian Energy Rebate, households must meet certain criteria.

The rebate is available to Victorian households who hold a pensioner concession card or are recipients of other eligible government benefits. This includes those receiving:

JobSeeker
Youth Allowance
Parenting Payments

Austudy
Abstudy

In addition, the following cardholders are eligible:

Pensioner Concession Card
Gold Card endorsed with Pensioner Concession
Gold Card endorsed with FTB Part A

Gold Card endorsed with War Widow

Victorian residents who do not hold one of the above cards or receive an eligible payment can still qualify for the rebate if they have an annual household income under $62,000. This includes both homeowners and renters.

To confirm eligibility, visit the Victorian Energy Compare website.

How Much is the Rebate?

The Victorian government is providing a rebate of $250 per eligible household. This rebate is being provided in addition to the existing $250 Power Saving Bonus, bringing the total rebate amount per household up to $500.

The rebate comes as part of a $250 million household energy rebate program announced in October 2022 to provide cost of living relief for Victorian energy consumers facing high electricity and gas bills.

The key things to note about the rebate amount are:

It is a payment of $250 per eligible household
It comes on top of the existing $250 Power Saving Bonus, for a total of $500 per household
The rebate is being funded by the Victorian government as part of a $250 million household energy rebate program

So in summary, Victorian households that meet the eligibility criteria can receive a $250 rebate from the government, in addition to the $250 Power Saving Bonus, for a total rebate of $500.

What Does the Rebate Cover?

The $250 Victorian energy rebate covers electricity and gas bills for eligible households. The rebate is provided to help reimburse households for part of their energy costs and provide relief from rising electricity and gas prices.

Specifically, the rebate can be used to cover costs from your electricity retailer or gas distributor. This includes covering expenses like account service fees and other associated costs that appear on your bill.

The rebate does not cover solar, bottled gas, firewood, heating oil, or other energy sources – it is limited to mains electricity and gas only. The rebate is also not able to be used for arrears or outstanding debt on your electricity or gas accounts.

In summary, the $250 rebate is intended to subsidize a portion of the regular electricity and gas supply costs for eligible Victorian households. It aims to make energy more affordable amidst rising prices.

How to Apply for the Rebate

Applications for the $250 Power Saving Bonus rebate open on April 1, 2022. There are a few different ways eligible households can apply:

Online via the Victorian Energy Compare website – https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/psb-apply
Over the phone by calling the Victorian Energy Compare team on 136 186
In writing by completing an application form and mailing it to:
Power Saving Bonus Program
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
GPO Box 4509
Melbourne VIC 3001

To complete the application, you will need:

Your name, address, date of birth, email and contact details

Electricity retailer and account information
Concession card details (if applicable)

Applications received by June 30, 2022 will receive the full $250 rebate. Applications received between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 will receive a pro-rata rebate.

Application Process

There are two ways to apply for the $2600 Victorian energy rebate – online through the Victorian Energy Compare website or via a paper application form.

To apply online, visit the Victorian Energy Compare website at https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/psb-faq. You will need to provide some personal details and information about your energy retailer and account. The online application takes about 10 minutes to complete.

If you prefer to submit a paper application, you can download the form from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website at https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/households/help-paying-your-bills. The paper application will require you to provide personal information including your name, address, date of birth, concession card details if applicable, and energy account details. Completed paper applications should be mailed to the address provided on the form.

Regardless of whether you apply online or via paper, you will need to provide documents confirming your identity and place of residence. Acceptable identity documents include a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued ID. Proof of residence could include a utility bill, lease agreement, or rates notice.

Payment Methods

The $2600 Victorian energy rebate will be paid out automatically to eligible households. Recipients do not need to apply or register for the payment.

The rebate will be paid as a credit directly on electricity bills by energy retailers on behalf of the Victorian Government. The credit will appear on an electricity bill as “VIC Govt Relief” or something similar. Customers may need to contact their retailer if it is unclear on the bill.

For households who have opted to receive monthly bills, the rebate will be applied evenly as a credit across the monthly bills. For quarterly bills, the full $2600 rebate will appear as a credit on a single bill.

If a household switches energy retailer, the retailer they were with at the time eligibility was determined will be responsible for paying the rebate. Prepaid/pay as you go customers will have the rebate applied automatically to their account as a credit.

According to the Victorian Energy Compare website, most households will have received the rebate by June 2024. However, the government advises contacting your retailer if you have not received it by 30 June 2024.

Key Deadlines

The key deadline to apply for the $250 Victorian Energy Rebate is by 11:59pm on 31 August 2023, as stated on the Victorian Energy Compare website.

According to the Victorian Government’s Energy website, the $250 rebate will be provided in periodic instalments on electricity bills during 2023-24. So there is no specific deadline for when the rebate will be applied, as long as you submit your application by 31 August 2023.

However, to receive the full $250 rebate amount, your application must be approved and processed in time before the program ends on 30 June 2024. Applications submitted after 31 August 2023 may still be processed, but there is a risk of missing out on the full rebate amount if processed late in the 2023-24 financial year.

In summary, the key deadline is:

Apply by 11:59pm 31 August 2023 to ensure you receive the full $250 rebate across electricity bills in 2023-24.

Further Assistance

If you require help applying for the $250 Power Saving Bonus, there are several services that can assist you:

The Victorian Energy Compare team offers support through their contact centre. You can call them on 136 186 for help completing the online application form. There may be long wait times during peak periods.

Local community organisations like neighbourhood houses, libraries, and councils sometimes run sessions to help people apply. Contact your local council or community health centre to find out if assistance is available in your area.

The Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria also offers support through their dispute resolution service. If you are having issues with your application or energy provider, you can contact their free advice line on 1800 500 509.

Financial counsellors provide free, independent information to help you understand your energy bills and usage. You can talk to a financial counsellor for help applying for the rebate by contacting the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

For translated information and support in your language, contact the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Community Support Line on 1300 801 056.

If you need help due to a disability, the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria has a dedicated team to assist. Call them on 1800 500 509 or TTY 133 677 for support.

The Victorian government’s Energy Assistance Program also provides personalised support to help eligible Victorians save money on energy bills. Call 136 186 or visit www.energy.vic.gov.au for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about the $2600 Victorian Energy Rebate:

Who is eligible for the rebate?

To be eligible, you must be a Victorian resident, receive an eligible concession, and have an active electricity account with a Victorian energy retailer (see exact_sources for more details on eligibility).

How do I apply for the rebate?

You can apply online through the Victorian Energy Compare website. You will need your electricity bill details and concession card number. Applications are open from July 1 2023 until January 31 2024 (see exact_sources).

When will I receive the rebate payment?

Payments are made directly to your electricity retailer and will show as a credit on your bill within 6-8 weeks of applying. The rebate is for use towards your 2023-2024 electricity bills (see exact_sources).

Can I get the rebate if I switched electricity providers?

Yes, you can still receive the rebate even if you switched electricity providers, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria (see exact_sources).

What if I have solar panels or get my power from an embedded network?

Unfortunately the rebate is only available for households with a standard electricity connection. Those with solar, batteries, or embedded networks are not eligible at this time (see exact_sources).