People faced with having their power cut off have been helped by Bridging the Gap, a group partly funded by energy provider AGL to the federal government’s Home Energy Saver Scheme.
Community Services Minister, Julie Collins, and federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland discovered this when they met several residents including Dawn Wells and Lorraine West at the Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre recently.
The two said trained advisers sat down and talked to them about how to make all the little changes to save money.
Maggie Adair from Bridging the Gap said its staff looked at how low income earners used their energy and worked out strategies to help them manage their electricity bills.
Ms Collins said Bridging the Gap is one of 16 organisations across Australia benefiting from a $2.1 million investment in HESS services by AGL.
“The government’s $50 million investment in HESS will see around 100,000 low-income Australians assisted to reduce their energy costs,” she said.
Ms Rowland said electricity and gas costs form a large part of household bills, and a plan to save energy around their home and manage your money would help them feel more secure.
People who face trouble managing their energy needs and bills, are at risk of having their power disconnected, or are on an energy retailer’s hardship scheme can call the HESS Freecall Helpline on 1800 007 001 to find out how HESS can assist.