Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.

Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My question is directed to the Minister for Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Minister for Solar Homes regarding the $250 payment to provide direct support to vulnerable Victorian households experiencing energy bill stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This important initiative will make a significant difference to many households who struggle to meet the cost of heating, particularly in Ballarat which experiences very cold winters.

The Wendouree office has received a large number of calls to date from constituents across Ballarat enquiring about the $250 Power Saving Bonus payment and have welcomed this support from the Victorian government.

My question is: how many households in my electorate of Wendouree have benefitted from this $250 payment to date and how can I further promote this program to ensure all eligible households can access the $250 Power Saving Bonus?

I would like to thank the minister for her continued support for the Wendouree community.

Response from the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, & Minister for Solar Homes (15th March 2021)  –

The $250 Power Saving Bonus Program was launched on 1 February 2021 and will run until 31 January 2022. The bonus is available to any households with a Victorian electricity account who holds a pensioner concession card or receives JobSeeker, Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance.  Eligible households can apply by visiting the Victorian Energy Compare website (compare.energy.vic.gov.au) and submitting an application.

Since the $250 Power Saving Bonus program was first launched, there have been more than 100,000 applications submitted, with 50,000 households having already received their $250 payment.

During the first month of the Power Saving Bonus program, there have been 2,585 applications from the electorate of Wendouree, which will result in $646,250 in bonus payments.

In relation to your question about how you can promote the Power Saving Bonus program, I have attached a Power Saving Bonus Fact Sheet which has been prepared for distribution within Victorian communities.

• Please click here to access the fact sheet mentioned above.