The Yarraville Community Centre (YCC) has long provided assistance to people in need, but soon that assistance will extend to helping people reduce their power bills.
THe YCC is one of 250 community centres and neighbourhood houses across Victoria selected by the state government to help roll out the next round of its power saving bonus program from August 25.
The fifth round of the power saving bonus program, which received $50 million of funding in this year’s state budget, will provide $100 payments to eligible concession card holders to help with their energy bills.
But in order to access the payments, concession card holders will first need to apply, which is where YCC and other neighbourhood houses involved in the program, come in.
“Our purpose really is to support people who can’t access technology at home or who need help with the process because of language barries etc,” said YCC chief executive Jessie Dean.
“We’ll be able to sit down with people and support them to apply for the bonus.”
To be eligible for the power saving bonus, applicants must provide a recent residential electricity bill and must hold a health care, pensioner concession, veterans’ affairs pensioner concession or veterans’ affairs gold card.
Ms Dean said she and some of her colleagues would soon undergo training to help them provide assistance specific to the application process.
Those who do have access to the internet can apply for the power saving bonus through the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website and whilst there, can check to see if their current deal provides value for money and if not, switch providers.
According to the state government, consumers who did this last year saved roughly $240 per year.
Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said both the power saving bonus and helping consumers switch energy providers, would provide cost of living relief for households.
“While private energy companies keep raising their prices and put profits first, we’re on the side of working families and Victorian households,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
To apply for the power saving bonus, visit: compare.energy.vic.gov.au.
