What is EAPA?

If you’re having difficulty paying your current household energy bill because of a short-term financial crisis or emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills, or reduced income due to COVID-19, you could be eligible for Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) $50 vouchers.

EAPA vouchers are sent electronically to your energy retailer to help pay your home electricity or gas account.  Applying for EAPA Vouchers involves an eligibility assessment. 

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.

Eligibility

You must:

1.   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.

2. Be the electricity or gas account holder (your account and bill must be in your name)

3. Be experiencing a short-term financial crisis or emergency that has caused you financial hardship and impacted your ability to pay your current bill ((in part or in full)

You’re not eligible if you:

×        Use liquid petroleum gas (LPG bottles

×        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 a closed your energy account.

What you need to provide

·       Proof of identity documents, photo id and pension/health care card (if applicable)

·       Your contact details, (name, date of birth, address, email, and phone number)

·       A copy of your current electricity and/or gas bill

How to apply?

1.      Enquiry.   Call our office on (02) 4276 2224, on Monday to Thursday, between 9 am to 3 pm.

2.      Application.  You will have an interview with an EAPA Consultant, in person, via email, or via phone.  At that time your NILS Consultant will review your paperwork and discuss your financial crisis and help you apply. 

3.      Assessment.  Your EAPA application will be submitted to Service NSW on your behalf.

4.      Approval.  If approved your voucher will be applied by your electrical retailer.  If your application has been declined, an EAPA Consultant will call you.

​If you would like to know more please contact an EAPA Consultant on (02) 4276 2224.  Our office is located at the Port Kembla Community Centre and we are open Monday to Thursday, between 9 am to 3 pm.