Why can’t those with Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers use them to pay for LPG gas cylinders?

The EAPA scheme helps people experiencing a short term financial crisis or emergency to pay their electricity or gas bill.

Mr Don Paton said that when his landlord installed a LPG gas heater into his home to replace an expensive to operate electric system, he had to organise the bottles to feed it himself.

“The electric heating almost tripled my quarterly bill so the LPG system was really welcome,” he said. “Then when I ordered, through Origin Energy, to have the bottles supplied and hooked up, I was hit with a bill I couldn’t pay straight away.”

For assistance Mr Paton attended the St Vincent de Paul office in Cowra and was issued with three $50 EAPA vouchers to pay the overdue account.

“Once they contacted Origin Energy to advise them of the voucher issue, they were told that the EAPA vouchers were not available to be used for LP gas accounts and are only usable on natural gas or electricity,” he said, “Those vouchers were then cancelled.”

Mr Paton is worried it isn’t only the residents of Mandurama that have to deal with the problem and was concerned about others in Portland, Yetholm, Sofala, Carcoar and Lyndhurst. 

A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development, said that LPG suppliers are not regulated by the NSW Government and providing payments directly to the customers (via the LPG rebate) is the best way to ensure assistance to LPG customers is provided.  

The LPG rebate, introduced on 1 July this year, provides assistance to an estimated 80,000 vulnerable, low-income householders who use LPG for essential household needs.

“Currently, readers who are pension recipients are able to access the LPG Gas rebate ($90) and are eligible for the Low Income Household Rebate worth $235 per year,” they said.