More than 6600 households in Sunbury are some of the one million in Victoria that have applied for the state government’s Power Saving Bonus program.
Last week, the government announced it was injecting an extra $205 million into the program to continue allowing Victorians to receive $250 to seek out a better energy deal on Victoria’s Energy Compare website.
According to the latest figures from the program, 6639 Sunbury households had already put in an application, with the suburb ranking 10th in the number of applications.
Commenting in a local Facebook group, Sunbury residents explained how going for the bonus had worked for them.
One resident said they applied the first day the program opened and received $250 into their account a week later.
“I just used it on petrol seeing as I do 200 kilometres a day driving for work,” she said.
Another said it was “perfect timing”.
“I didn’t have the money to cover the gas bill that came out the afternoon of the same day,” they said.
In a statement, the government said all Victorians were eligible for the payment, “including the nearly 400,000 concession card holders who previously claimed the payment under an earlier phase of the program”.
“The Labor government is adding another $205 million to meet the popularity of the program, on top of the initial $250 million funding. The $250 Power Saving Bonus is available until 30 June 2023 and there are no caps on the number of households that can receive the once-off payment,” the government said.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the government was proud to have supported so many Victorians.
“We know Victorian families are doing it tough, so we’re topping up the $250 Power Saving Bonus program to make sure no one misses out,” she said.
Details: compare.energy.vic.gov.au/.
