Victorian $250 Power-Saving Bonus | All You Need To Know
Victorian residents are in luck. From the first of July 2022 until the 30th of June 2023, all victorian households can apply for a $250 electricity rebate that will ease a bit of pressure off the electricity bill. The process to claim your $250 payment couldn’t be simpler. In this article, we go through everything you will need to apply for the electricity rebate.
What Is the $250 Power Saving Bonus?
The $250 power-saving bonus program is meant to help Victorian households withstand the pressure of the current energy market that the ongoing energy crisis has severely altered.
At the same time, the Victoria government wants to incentivise citizens to use their energy-comparing tool, Victorian Energy Compare, so Aussies better understand what retailer energy plans & options are available for them and how to switch for a better energy deal in case they are experiencing difficulties with their bill or their provider. The goal of this initiative is that Victorian Aussies get a better picture of the energy market (and also avoid a potential meeting with the energy ombudsmen!).
Naturally, the power-saving bonus has sparked many questions about the process. How do you apply for the $250 payment? Who exactly is eligible for the Victorian energy rebate? Do you require any specific documentation? How is the $250 payment conveyed?
We will be answering all these questions so you can save both time and money.
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Am I Eligible for the $250 Power-Saving Bonus?
To apply for the $250 payment, you only need to fulfil the following requirements:
- Have a recent electricity bill
- Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website or engage with an energy affordability service through one of Victoria's community outreach partners
- You must have a concession benefit
As you see, it’s extremely easy to apply for the $250 payment, and it’s open to all Victorian households. This is good news for Victorians, as this $250 power-saving bonus doesn’t have any catch, it’s a one-off free giveaway, so you should claim it before it expires.
However, there are some exceptions and specifications that come with these requirements, here is a list with all of them so you know exactly whether you are in o out:
- Only one $250 bonus per household is available
- Both renters and people renting a house can apply
- You can apply regardless of your accommodation type
- You can’t apply if you are a business owner
- The $250 power-saving bonus is only for electricity
How Do I Apply for the $250 Power-Saving Bonus?
To apply for the Victorian $250 rebate you only need to complete the online application form on their website or reach out to any of their community outreach partners.
NOTE: When going through the application, you will be asked for a PDF copy of a recent electricity bill or its details, so have them in hand! For the application to be as easy as possible, you should also know what your NMI number is (you can find this number in your bill), some extra documentation like a recent utility bill or a Driver’s License, and keep a copy of your application number in case you need in the future.
The Compare Energy application form is straightforward and will take just a few minutes of your time so we recommend you apply through it. However, you may feel more comfortable applying through any of their partners, especially if you are already connected to them.
This is a list of all Victoria’s community outreach partners you can reach to assist you through the process:
- Good Shepherd - Neighbourhood House - 1300 026 500
- Consumer Action Law Centre - 1800 149 689
- Ethnic Community Council Victoria - 9354 9555
- Brotherhood of St Laurence - 1800 830 029
- State Trustees - 1300 026 500
In case you need further assistance with your application, you can always contact 1800 000 VEC (832) for general support or even have a friend or family member complete the application process for you. However, if you ask a friend or family member to do the process for you, you are required by the terms and conditions to be present while the application is being completed.
I Have Completed my Application! Now What?
After you complete the application, you will need to wait a bit more for it to be processed.
This takes approximately 10 business days (which is why you should do it as soon as possible!). Somewhere in between, you will receive a confirmation email that will let you know if you meet all the requirements or if there is any information missing. In case your application is not approved, you will be notified about its status and what you should do to complete it.
REMEMBER! Keep your application number in case anything goes wrong and don’t forget the email address you used for the application, since here is where you will find your confirmation email.
If you lose your application number, you can ask for it using the Compare Energy online chat or send an email to [email protected].
How Do I Get Paid the $250 Power-Saving Bonus?
Hurrah! Your application has been accepted and you are stoked about those handy $250, but how exactly do you get them?
You will receive the $250 electricity rebate via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) and it will take around 2-3 weeks after you submit your application or 4 weeks if you requested a Cheque payment. In both cases, you will find your $250 payment in the bank account number you provided through the application.
Need Energy Advice ?
Selectra's Energy Experts are Available To Help You Free of Charge
(Free Selectra Service - Currently open)
I Still Need Help! - Further Support for the $250 Bonus
Even if it's easy to claim the $250 power-saving bonus, we all know that many things can go wrong with online forms and applications, so don't think twice about seeking more help if you need to.
Remember that you can always count on the support of the community outreach partners and ask them for guidance during the process. For any issue with the application, payment or other questions you may have, you can also always send an email to [email protected].
If you still have questions regarding the $250 power-saving bonus program, you can also reach us and we will provide you with more information. We also encourage you to contact us to find out more about the best energy deals that can help you save money on your electricity bill.
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