Energy Accounts Payment Assistance

Help paying energy bill during in a short-term financial crisis or emergency.

You can apply for an EAPA vouchers if you are having difficulty paying your current household energy bill due to short-term financial distress or emergency. Vouchers are limited, and are sent electronically to the energy retailer.

About Our Program

If you’re having difficulty paying your current household energy bill due to short-term financial distress or emergency, Metro Assist may be able to provide EAPA vouchers to help. EAPA vouchers are sent electronically to your energy retailer to help pay your home electricity or gas account.

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

Do I need to be eligible for EAPA Vouchers?

Yes. Applying for EAPA vouchers involves an eligibility assessment by Metro Assist staff and is assessed on a case-by-case basis for approval.

Please note: EAPA assistance is a short-term support and reoccurring clients will be asked to see our financial counselling service to provide long-term financial budgeting support.

What is the eligibility critera?

To be eligible for for EAPA vouchers, you must

Have an electricity or natural gas account for a NSW residential address. This must be your primary place of residence and the account must be active at the time of your assessment
Be the electricity or natural gas account holder (the account and bill must be in your name)
Be experiencing a short-term financial distress that has caused you financial hardship and impacted your ability to pay your current residential energy bill (in part or in full).

You are not eligible 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
Have closed your energy account

What documents do I need to be approved for an EAPA voucher?

You need to provide two proof of identity documents – the names on the two documents must match and also match the name on the supply address on the electricity or natural gas account. You must also provide your personal and contact details (name, date of birth, address, email and phone number) and a copy of your current electricity and/or gas bill.

This bill must include 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 are currently on a hardship plan with your retailer (if applicable)
Evidence of financial distress, such as an employment termination notice or medical expenses (optional).

How do I make an appointment for EAPA assistance?

All referrals will be taken at reception. Reception will complete the referral/ intake form on behalf of the clients and a support worker will contact the client.

Please contact reception on (02) 9789 3744 or (02) 8709 0200.

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