Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme

If an unexpected emergency or short term financial crisis is making it hard to pay your energy bill, you may be able to get financial support.

The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme helps customers who have experienced unexpected hardship in the past year.

This Queensland Government program offers a one-off payment of up to $720 towards your energy bill, and you can access it once every two years.

Check if you're eligible

You may be eligible for the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme if all of these apply.

1. You must:

Be responsible for paying the overdue energy bill (the bill does not have to be in your name)
You may still be eligible if your account was finalised in the last 60 days.

2. And meet at least one of these:

Hold a current concession card (Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card)
Live in a low‑income household – Household income must be below the Australian Government’s maximum income rate for part‑age pensioners. For current limits, contact Centrelink
Be in our Customer Assist program or have an active payment plan in place to manage your outstanding bill payments.

3. And have had a big drop in your household income, such as:

Job loss, family separation, illness, injury or disability
High, unexpected costs for essential items.

How to apply

If you're finding it hard to pay your bill, here’s how to apply:

Call us on 13 10 46 and ask for a Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme application form. We’ll post or email one out to you
Complete the form and return it to the Department of Communities who will review your application and personal circumstances.

For questions about eligibility or your application, phone the Queensland Government Department of Communities on 13 74 68 (local call charge). If you need an interpreter, please phone 13 14 50.