Groups get most of power bonus

GROUPS from across Bendigo have been helping community members apply for the State Government’s Power Saving Bonus.

The $250 one off payment was created to assist people with the cost of living, and Angelique Whitehouse coordinator of the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub said the organisation has been assisting eligible people with their online application.

“People can come in here, they don’t need to make an appointment,” she said. “It takes about 10 or 15 minutes at the most.”

Those eligible for the bonus include people receiving Centrelink Pensioner or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession payments, or JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy.

Ms Whitehouse said applicants would need to bring proof of these payments, as well as a copy of an electricity bill and their bank details to complete the online process.

“All they need to do is come in with those three documents and we’ll lodge it for them,” she said.

The online application assistance is delivered as part of the Hub’s Neighbour Assist program, which Ms Whitehouse said can also provide support for processing Centrelink claims, completing the Census or any tax queries.

“Our Neighbour Assist program is all based on ‘drop in when you need help’,” she said. “Where possible, we will try and help you there on the spot.”

The Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is located at 155 Crook Street, Strathdale, and is open from 9am-3pm weekdays.

Like the community hub, support worker at Bendigo Family and Financial Services, Jill McPartlane said she’s helped over 50 people with their online Power Saving Bonus application and that her organisation could also assist with other financial matters.

“We offer support for people to apply for utility grants to help pay for their utility bills,” she said. “We also have financial counsellors here which is a free service and that can help someone mitigate some debts that might be outstanding for them.

“We also are the top [provider] in the country for our no interest loan scheme which helps people apply for no interest loans for essential items that can help them with their daily lives.”

BFFS can be found at 37-39 Rowan Street, Bendigo, from 9am-5pm weekdays.