New South Wales - Apply for Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Voucher

Advertisement

Procedure

Here's how you can apply for an Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Voucher. Applications can be submitted online or by phone.

Apply Online

1. You will need to have a MyServiceNSW Account. In case you don't have a MyServiceNSW, here's how you can create one. Click this link to start the registration process - LINK.
2. Enter your email address and then click the "Continue" button to receive a confirmation code. Note: Keep the window open as you check the code sent to you (the code will expire after an hour).
3. Check the confirmation sent to your email address. Enter the confirmation code to complete the process of creating your account.
4. You may also add your contact number as part of account security. But, you can do this later.
5. Create a password for your account.
6. Add your personal details to save time applying for other services in the future.
7. Now that you have created an account you may now start your online application. You will be asked to verify your identity which you can easily do online, without the need to visit a service centre. You’ll need to provide TWO current identity documents: Australian Driver Licence; and Medicare.
8. Complete the online form asking for details related to your Australian Driver Licence and Medicare. After filling in the form hit the 'Save' button to complete the verification process.
9. After verification, you can now proceed to complete the application form to receive EAPA Vouchers. Click the 'Submit' button after you are done completing the form.
10. An email confirmation will be sent to you.
11. Expect a call from a representative of NSW Government within 2-4 weeks. The call is being made to assess your eligibility for EAPA vouchers. The assessment may involve a 3-way call with your energy retailer, including discussing energy hardship plans and further assistance.

Apply by Phone

1. You can also apply to be assessed for EAPA vouchers by calling an approved non-government EAPA provider such as Anglicare, Salvation Army and Wesley Mission.
2. This method might be suitable for you, if you prefer an in-person assessment (offered by some providers), don’t have an email address and need other help, such as no-interest loans, financial counselling, and clothing or food assistance.
3. Contact numbers are provided below ('Office Locations & Contacts' section which you can call to apply.
4. They will be the one to complete an application for you to receive EAPA vouchers.
5. Wait for a call from the NSW Government which is being made to assess your application.

Advertisement

Required Documents

Documents you will need to apply for EAPA Vouchers:

• Two (2) proof of identity documents– the names on the 2 documents must match and also match the name on the supply address on the electricity or natural gas account.
• A copy of your current electricity and/or gas bill, which includes your:
  • first and last name (your account and bill must be in your name)
  • energy retailer's name
  • energy account number
  • National Meter Identifier (NMI) number for electricity bills, or
  • Delivery Point Identifier (DPI)/Meter Installation Registration Number (MIRN) for gas bills
• Confirmation that you're currently on a hardship plan with your retailer (if applicable)
• Evidence of financial crisis, such as a termination notice or medical expenses (optional).

Documents you will need to verify your identity (for your MyServiceNSW Account): Australian Driver Licence; and Medicare:

• If you don’t have an Australian Driver Licence, you can use ONE of the following documents:
  • Australian Passport
  • Australian Birth Certificate
  • Australian Travel Visa
  • Australian Citizenship Certificate
  • Australian Certificate Registration by Descent
  • Immi Card
• If you don’t have a Medicare card, you can use ONE of the above documents, or ONE of the following documents:
  • Note: Any document you choose can only be used once.
  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Seniors Health Card
  • Health Care Card
  • Veteran Gold Card
  • Veteran Pensioner Concession Card
  • Veteran Seniors Health Card

Office Locations & Contacts

Service NSW

Phone: 13 77 88
Monday to Friday
7:00am and 7:00pm (Sydney time)
COVID-19 related enquiries are available 24/7.

Translation and interpreter services
Phone: 13 14 50
Ask the interpreter to phone 13 77 88.

For people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment - Call National Relay Service
Choose your access option and ask for 13 77 88 when asked by the relay officer.
If you can't call 1300 numbers, call +61 2 8894 1555.

Mailing Address:
Service NSW
GPO Box 7057
Sydney NSW 2001

Service Centre Locator

Apply by contacting an EAPA provider

Eligibility

You could be eligible to receive Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers worth $50 if you:

• have an electricity or natural gas account for a NSW residential address, which is your primary place of residence and the account must be active at the time of your assessment (all other accounts are not eligible)
• are the electricity or natural gas account holder (the account and the bill statement must be in your name)
• are experiencing a short-term financial crisis or financial difficulty that has impacted your ability to pay your current residential energy bill (in part or in full).

You're NOT eligible to receive EAPA vouchers if you:

• use liquid petroleum gas (LPG) bottles for your gas supply; however, you may be eligible for a gas rebate
• are residing in embedded networks (e.g. some strata plans, retirement villages and residential parks)
• have already paid your energy bill
• have a business account
• are not the account holder and the bill is in another person’s name
• have closed your energy account.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites. 	
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applications to receive EAPA Vouchers can be submitted online through your MyServiceNSW account or you may also call approved non-government EAPA provider such as Anglicare, Salvation Army and Wesley Mission.

• But before you start your application, please make sure you to call your energy retailer first and advise them of your EAPA application and expected timeframes. You can also ask about what assistance might be available to you, including different options to pay your bill, switching energy plans or starting a hardship plan.

Required Information

• Your personal and contact details (name, date of birth, address, email, phone number etc.)

Need for the Document

Please provide the need for the procedure. e.g. Birth Certificate - why do we need to have a birth certificate? 
 

Information which might help

• Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers are worth $50.

• The vouchers are sent electronically to your energy retailer to help pay your home electricity or gas account.

• EAPA voucher limits apply and vouchers can't be used to put your energy account into credit, on closed accounts, or if your account has already been paid.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

NSW Government

Others

More information which might help people.