Energy & Water
Energy & Water
If you are having trouble paying your electricity, water or gas bills, contact your utility provider and ask for help. Utility providers can help you in different ways, like starting a payment plan or putting you in their hardship program.
Main ideas
- I need help paying my bill
- Ways your provider can help you
- Utility Grants and Concessions
- What should I do if I receive a disconnection notice
- When to contact the Ombudsman
Jan's Story
When Jan became ill, she found it difficult to make ends meet. As she recovered, Jan registered for Centrelink but her bills kept mounting up and she received a letter threatening to cut off her power if she didn’t pay immediately. Mob Strong contacted her energy provider, got Jan into their hardship program and made sure she received all the right concessions. We helped her with a money plan to cut expenses, access vouchers for other bills and set up automatic bill payments from her Centrelink income.
I need help paying my bill
If you need help staying on top of your energy, water or gas bills contact your provider as soon as possible.
Getting help early can mean you avoid paying extra fees, getting into debt and the risk of being disconnected.
Your service provider may be able to offer you more affordable options such as:
- If you can afford to pay something – contact your provider and ask for a payment plan
- Check you’re on the best plan for your usage
- Check you are receiving the right discounts, concessions and grants.
Check the National Debt Helpline for electricity, gas and water info
What should I do if I receive a disconnection notice
- Contact the energy or water supplier and ask for a financial hardship plan.
- Ask that they do not disconnect you.
- Ask for written confirmation that it won’t disconnect you.
- Work out what you can afford.
- Only agree to an arrangement you can afford and meets your needs– fortnightly is often better than monthly
- If you have a serious illness or on a pension or experiencing a loss, tell them
- Take notes of who you spoke to and the plan you agreed to
- Ask the provider to send you the agreement in writing.
When to contact the Ombudsman
If you cannot work it out with your supplier you can contact the ombudsman.
For more information about how to contact the Ombudsman check the National Debt Helpline website
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