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NewsRecord Numbers Need Help To Pay Energy Bills
Record Numbers Need Help To Pay Energy Bills

Record Numbers Need Help To Pay Energy Bills

Tags: Energy Information
Last updated by Kayley Harris on

A few weeks back we launched the FiftyUp Club in South Australia. Judging by the huge jump in membership it’s clear that energy costs are a major concern, not only in SA, but across the country.

Record numbers of households are being forced to access emergency government payments just to keep their lights on, as people who “thought they would never be in this position” seek help just to survive. You don’t have to look too far to find the stats…

  • Credit information agency Veda Advantage’s survey claims more than 1.1 million Australians were late paying their utility bills in the past three months.
  • An Ernst & Young survey of households in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland showed more than one in 10 people have missed more than three bill payments in the past 12 months.
  • The Herald Sun reports that cash-strapped Victorian energy customers have racked up unpaid bills of at least $50 million
  • Meanwhile the number of Queenslanders having their electricity disconnected because they can’t pay their bills has hit a record high, with nearly 30,000 households switched off over the past year.
  • To the isle state, low-income households and the elderly were the hardest hit when Tasmanian power prices rise by an extra $60 or $70 a year back in June.
  • Over on the west coast the story is the same with reports more than than 90 WA families per day are asking for help to pay their electricity, gas and water bills.

 

Community services leaders described it as “a crisis” saying the health of low-income families is being damaged and lives jeopardised.

If you need help paying your energy bills here are some links

 

Originally posted on .

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Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

From Member Ross Thompson It is with great disappointment that I write to outline my experience when I phoned the supplier of energy as offered in the letter below. I am currently with Origin Energy and my most recent bill was $141.94 for 91 days, after Seniors Discount and payment on time bonus credit. The consultant to whom I spoke for several minutes trying to make sense of what she was saying in a strange accent, at first said my bill with Click Energy, on the same usage charges, would be $145-plus, even after the discounts already being received. I then pointed out there was an offer for Fifty Up members of 18% discount for anyone signing up within five weeks. She admitted she did not know anything of that offer. Even after deducting the 18%, Click Energy’s price would still be above my latest bill from Origin but she argued that I would probably be higher in the next bill because of rate rises which affected the second half of the last quarter. By the time I take into account cancelling supply and payment options with Origin and then paying $100 a month IN ADVANCE toward the next bill, I would be better off staying with Origin. I think it might be worth having another look at the agreement with Click Energy particularly in regard to telling members about this outrageous payment in advance. Ross Thompson Biggera Waters Qld 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I Pay May to Jun (55 days) $72.24 supply Charge and 27.95 electricity yust and Fab to May ( $119.52 supply Charge and $70.31 , To mush money for the Supply Charges , Supply Charges are money for nosing , I pay More for Supply Charges than electricity yust , From Garry 

Garry
Garry from QLD commented:

I am having solar installed this week, I have heard conflicting reports about Clickbank charging more per KW, but giving more back on the rebates to the grid.. We have Dodo at present , only been with them since 20th june & already have an increase. Dont know where to go or what to do yet Have signed up with Solar & batteries Direct so far we have found them to be very helpful & have recommended Clickbank. Please advise ASAP. 

Dan
Dan from QLD commented:

It's hard to save when you are faced with a "service fee" of $500.00 a year which is just a rip-off fee in far north Queensland because there is only one provider and they can do as they please. 

John
John from VIC commented:

Well, we do now have "Privatisation" and someone has got to pay for it - Thank's a lot Jeff! Where we once had a "Chairman of the SECV", and on a reasonable salary, this person has since been replaced with umpteen dozen so called "Executives" who are each taking millions to satisfy their greed. Not that anything's really better - it's just that we have to pay more for less.. 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

increased costs are killing us.Even with a 3kw solar system our bills have gone thru the roof.Have reverse cycle AC inverter type & now very cautious on heating even with present low temps 

Joyce
Joyce from WA commented:

Yes. I bought the solar panels but do not make much diff as only get back 7 cents. Charged 24 cents for electricity used. Wish I had spent the $4k on other things. :-( 

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