Families with fixed or low incomes in South Australia are being asked to apply for relief from the cost-of-living before the year ends. Up to $1,100 can be provided to help with living expenses.
There are more than 215,000 households that can benefit from household concessions.
The household concessions include various payments such as emergency services levy, energy, water, and sewerage.
The government noted that many households have not applied for these benefits yet. Some of these include disabled or older individuals, as well as single parents and families.
In response to the rising cost-of living, South Australia’s Human Services Minister said many low and fixed-income families are struggling to make ends meet.
He noted that there are still many households that could benefit from the household concessions.
The deadline for households to apply for the cost-of-living relief for the 2024-25 period is December 31.
To ensure that everyone is aware of the available benefits, the Human Services Minister urged people to visit the government’s website or call the Concessions South Australia hotline.
South Australia’s government provides various household concessions. Some of these are as follows: Electricity: up to $298.40 Water: up to $319.40 Sewerage: $165.20 Medical Heating & Cooling: up to $264.85 Emergency Service Levy: $46 The transportation concession for Seniors Card holders is also available, and the government will extend this to Centrelink Health Care Card holders from January 1, 2025.
In 2025, families can receive $100 grants through the Sports Voucher program to help cover the costs of extracurricular activities for kids.
The government will also double the charge subsidy for schools to $200 for each student. The household concessions are available to everyone depending on their situation.
Individuals must have an eligible concession card or be on a low income to benefit from Centrelink payments.
These include the pensioner, veteran, low-income, and seniors health cards. Centrelink also provides other payments such as ABSTUDY, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, and more.
To apply for household concessions, individuals can go to the government’s website or contact the Concessions SA number on 1800 758.