I can’t pay my bills
If you are having trouble paying your electricity, gas or water bill, you may be eligible for assistance from the Western Australian Government.
There is also separate financial assistance for concession card holders.
Hardship Utility Grant Scheme
The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) is run by WA’s Department for Child Protection. If you are eligible, HUGS may pay up to 85% of your current electricity, gas or water bill direct to your retailer. You would still need to pay the other remaining amount.
Cost of Living Assistance payment
The Cost of Living Assistance (CoLA) payment, to be introduced in October 2012, will provide tangible, direct assistance for eligible energy customers. The CoLA payment will be administered by your energy retailer Synergy and Horizon Power.
How to apply
To find out if you are eligible for HUGS or the Cost of Living Assistance payment, you should:
- contact your energy or water retailer
- tell them you are having problems paying your bill
- say you would like to discuss payment arrangements and/or hardship assistance.
The retailer will tell you what help you can get, and can also arrange for financial counselling.
Contact
Synergy: 13 13 53
Horizon Power: 1800 267 926
Alinta Gas: 13 13 58
Water Corporation: 13 13 85