Pensioners and seniors score up to an extra $25 via electricity rebate: Bligh

Joint Statement:

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women
The Honourable Karen Struthers
01/07/2009

Pensioners and seniors score up to an extra $25 via electricity rebate: Bligh
 
A 15% increase to the state electricity subsidy will take effect from tomorrow (July 1), meaning an extra $25 for up to 700,000 eligible Queensland seniors and pensioners.

Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Community Services Karen Struthers said the State Government would spend an extra $15.5 million in 2009-10 to fund the increased subsidy.

"The increase to the state electricity rebate is good news for Queensland seniors and pensioners," Ms Bligh said.

"It's a significant increase, delivering eligible seniors and pensioners an extra $25 a year to meet other essential expenses.

"The Bligh Government recognises it has a special responsibility to protect older Queenslanders from financial hardship, particularly in these tough economic times.

"We think all Queenslanders will support this measure to protect a generation that has contributed so much to the economic development of the state," she said.

Ms Struthers said the new electricity rebate scheme would take effect from July 1, with the concession rising from $165 in 2008-09 to $190 in 2009-10.

She said the rebate was available to holders of a Pensioner Concession Card and Queensland Seniors Card, as well as some holders of a Repatriation Health Card.

"This is a comprehensive scheme which will benefit up to one in six Queenslanders," she said.

"Seniors who are eligible for the electricity rebate but haven't accessed it before need to apply for it through their energy supplier.

"They can do this either by written application or over the phone, with the deduction being made through their electricity bill.

"Those already receiving the rebate will continue to receive it, unless their circumstances have changed.

"To qualify, applicants must be the registered customer of an electricity retailer at the home address for which the rebate is claimed."

The electricity rebate scheme will cost the Queensland Government $92.5 million in 2009-10.

Ms Struthers also announced more good news for Queensland seniors today.

"The Electricity Life Support Concession will also increase to help meet additional costs faced by pensioners requiring life support devices," she said.

Under the new schedule, the Electricity Life Support Concession will increase from $336 a year to $388 a year for a home-based Oxygen Concentrator, and from $225 a year to $260 a year for a home-based Kidney Dialysis Machine.

The rebate under this scheme is paid to directly to eligible applicants by the State Government.

Ms Struthers said many pensioners were finding it hard to make ends meet in these tough economic times and she wanted as many eligible seniors as possible to take advantage of the rebates.

"In tough economic times like these, Labor Governments get going to help those who need it most," she said.

"These rebates reflect our commitment to protecting the economic security of Queenslanders who have worked hard all their lives, helping to make Queensland the place it is today.

"I want to encourage older Queenslanders to contact the Department of Communities to assess their eligibility for these rebates."

To find out more about the Queensland Government's range of concessions and savings for seniors, call 131 304 during business hours or visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/community/concessions