A LOCAL financial counselor says help is available for disadvantaged locals struggling to cope with their winter energy bills, following the release of a report into the impacts of forced energy disconnection.
The Consumer Action Law Centre’s ‘Heat or Eat’ report, compiled with help by RMIT University and released last week, showed how issues like mental health, unemployment and family violence can be further compounded by the experience of having an essential service disconnected.
According to the report, more than 50,000 Victorian properties were disconnected from energy during the 2013/2014 financial year, while electricity prices increased by 84 percent in seven years.
Mallee Family Care (MFC) Swan Hill financial counselor Kaylene Birch said it was coming to the time of year when locals in disadvantaged positions started becoming overwhelmed by winter energy bills.
She said there was help available to people on low incomes struggling to keep up with their bills, including utility relief grants and non-mains energy concessions (for people relying on wood or gas to heat their homes).
All they had to do was come into MFC and arrange an appointment.
“Don’t let yourself get stressed about your winter energy bills,” Ms Birch said.
“Come in and have a chat, there are always options out there.”
For more information, contact MFC on 1800 632 263.
For more on this story, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (September 9).
