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Help with Bill Payments

Billpay @ Australia Post

Billmanager is ideal for managing household bills that come in regularly like gas, electricity and council rates. With this plan you know what your monthly/fortnightly payments will be. Call Australia Post on 13 1816 for help.

Centrepay

Centrelink provides Centrepay to people receiving payments from Centrelink. It is a free direct bill paying service where regular amounts are deducted from your Centrelink payment. Please contact 13 1021.

Electricity and Gas

Assistance with these bills can be obtained through the Easyway payment scheme. Contact your Electricity or Gas Company and ask about the scheme. Payments can be made fortnightly, payable at the Post Office or by Direct Debit from your bank account. A current Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card is needed for this service.

Home Wise: Appliance and Infrastructure Grant
(Information from Department of Human Services, Victoria Website)

The Home Wise Grant Program helps households with the replacement or repair of an essential appliance or essential household infrastructure that is faulty and has failed within the last 12 months. Eligible customers are able to apply for two grants within a ten year period. Replacement appliances are selected on the basis of energy or water efficiency to enable a reduction in energy or water consumption for the applicant’s household.

The appliances covered by the program include hot water service, wall furnace/space heater, faulty toilet, upright stove/wall oven/cooktop, water tank, generator, leaking gas or water pipes, insulation (five or more occupants living in household for insulation).

Eligibility
You must hold at least one of the following concession cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• DVA Gold Card

Holders of a Health Care Card for Child Disability and Foster Care issued in the name of the child are not eligible. For fixed appliances, such as heaters or hot water services, the applicant must own or be buying the property. Holders of DVA Gold Cards marked "dependant" are not eligible to apply.

More information and how to apply
Access to a Homewise Grant is available by referral from community sector agencies and utility companies experienced in assessing and identifying the needs of the customers or by contacting the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

Homewise: Appliance and Infrastructure Grant Brochure (50k, 2 page PDF)
Home Wise Appliance and Infrastructure Grant Guidelines (210k, 6 page PDF)

Mortgage Relief

An interest free loan of up to $15,000 for up to two years may be obtained from the government. This loan is to assist with monthly payments and/or outstanding arrears. At the end of the two year period the loan must be repaid by monthly instalments. Ring the Department of Human Services on 1800 134 872.

Optus

Optus has an instalment payment scheme; contact them on 1800 505 201.

Rates

If you are unable to pay your Frankston City Council rates on the due date contact Council directly on 9784 1888 to negotiate monthly payment. Each case is assessed separately by Council.

Telstra

A Budget card is available from Telstra to assist in making regular instalment payments. Always contact your provider if you have difficulties paying your bills. Ring Telstra for more information regarding Telstra's Access for Everyone on 1800 804 591 or check this page on their website.

Utility Relief Grants Scheme

Individuals in crisis may receive one-time help with their utility bills (electricity, water, gas and LPG). Application forms are available from your Gas or Electricity Company. Ring the Frankston City Council Financial Counsellor on 9784 1888 to assist you in completing an application. Non-mains Utility Relief Grant Scheme can be contacted on 1800 658 521.

Water Rates

South East Water offers a water relief scheme to assist with an outstanding water bill in case of financial hardship. The scheme allows bills to be paid fortnightly or monthly. For further advice ring South East Water on 131 851.

Download and Print

 Where to Find Assistance 175k (2 page PDF)
Bill payments, financial assistance, school payments, legal assistance and counselling.