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Information for Home Users
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Rebates & concessions: Pensioner Concessions |
A new pensioner energy concession of $112 per year will be introduced from 1 January 2002 by the NSW Government.
The concession, which applies to the cost of electricity and gas, will be paid in instalments through your electricity bill.
It represents an increased rebate for the majority of pensioners. No pensioner will be worse-off as a result of the change.
How it works
The Government-authorised pensioner rebates previously provided by gas companies will no longer apply, as the new pensioner concession covers electricity and gas.
From 1 January 2002, you will receive one energy rebate of $112 per year that covers both electricity and other forms of energy. It is paid through your electricity bill. Only one rebate is paid per household.
No separate rebates are available from the government for fuels such as LPG or diesel.
The pensioner concession will be calculated daily and appear on electricity bills as a separate item called the "NSW Government Pensioner Energy Rebate".
If your billing period covers part of 2001, the payment in 2002 will include amounts calculated by your electricity supplier based on the old and new concession schemes.
Are you eligible?
You are eligible for the new pensioner concession from 1 January 2002 if you:
- Hold a Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card; or
- Receive a Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Pension at the "totally and permanently incapacitated" rate; and
- Your electricity account at your principal place of residence is in your name or jointly in your name.
Pensioners already receiving the electricity rebate will automatically receive the new concession of $112 per year from 1 January 2002 - you do not need to reapply.
If you are not currently receiving a rebate
You will need to contact your electricity supplier and quote your concession card number.
If you change suppliers
You will not lose your pensioner energy rebate if you change retail supplier.
If you elect to change your electricity supplier after 1 January 2002, your current supplier will pay the pensioner concession on a daily pro-rata basis up until the time you change suppliers.
You can change your gas supplier without affecting your pensioner concession.
You will need to advise your new retailer of your pensioner eligibility and quote your concession card number. If you are eligible, your new supplier will pay the rebate from the time that you change supplier.
Want more information?
A free booklet explaining the choices available to you will be in your letterbox in early 2002. The booklet will contain information you will find useful if you decide to shop around for the best deal on your energy.
You may also call our information line on 1300 136 888.
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Related Topics
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Download Booklet: "Until now, you've had no choice where you bought your electricity and gas" |
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Need further information? Call the info line 1300 136 888 or email us at maiorana@energy.nsw.gov.au
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