The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.15.5 Energy assistance payment (EAP) - qualification & payability

Note: The following information is for historical purposes only.

Background

The EAP provided assistance to those who had been impacted by increases, around 2017, in energy prices and who had limited ability to earn extra income to cover those additional costs while other energy reforms took effect.

Qualification

A person is qualified for a one off EAP if:

  1. Age, DSP or PPS is payable to the person on 20 June 2017
  2. that pension is so payable because of a claim the person made for one of the above pensions on or before 20 June 2017, and
  3. the person is residing in Australia on 20 June 2017.

Those people who made a claim for one of the above pensions on or before the above test date of 20 June 2017 and subsequently had that claim granted and backdated to on or before that date, with the result that the pension was payable on that date, will also satisfy requirements a. and b. above.

A person may qualify for the payment under legislation administered by DVA. However, if a payment under the VEA Part IIIF is paid to a person, no payment can be paid to the person under the social security law.

Payability

The amount of a person's one-off EAP is worked out using the following table, having regard to the person's situation on 20 June 2017.

Person's situation on 20 June 2017 Amount of one-off energy assistance payment ($)
Not a member of a couple 75.00
Partnered 62.50
Member of an illness separated couple 75.00
Member of a respite care couple 75.00
Partnered (partner in gaol) 75.00

Most recipients of the EAP received their payment in late June 2017. Others received it in early 2017-18.

The EAP is non-taxable and does not count as income under the social security law or under legislation administered by DVA.

Act reference: SSAct section 300 One-off energy assistance payment, section 301 Amount of one-off energy assistance payment

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