Household Assistance Package
The Household Assistance Package is part of the Australian Government’s plan for a Clean Energy Future. Around 500 of the biggest polluters in Australia will pay for their pollution under the carbon pricing mechanism, which will be used to assist households to help meet price impacts, support jobs in the most affected industries and build a clean energy future.
For more information on the plan for a Clean Energy Future, visit www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au.
Assistance available
The Household Assistance Package includes:
- the Clean Energy Advance - an initial payment which was first paid to eligible DVA recipients on 14 June 2012. Recipients of payments under the DVA children’s education schemes will receive an additional lump sum payment in July 2013.
- the Clean Energy Supplement – an ongoing fortnightly or quarterly payment, commencing in March 2013 for most eligible recipients. Ongoing payments for Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) permanent impairment payments will commence in July 2013 while ongoing payments under the children’s education schemes commence in January 2014. View the list of eligible payments and payment amounts for the Clean Energy Supplement.
Other benefits that may be available to members of the veteran and defence community include:
- an Essential Medical Equipment Payment – an annual payment of $140 to cover the additional costs of running essential medical equipment and medically required heating and / or cooling that arise from the introduction of a carbon price. The payment is available for people with medical needs or their carers who: are covered by an eligible concession card; require specified equipment or medically required heating and / or cooling in their home as a result of their medical condition; and contribute to the payment of the energy account. Read more.
- income tax cuts – individuals with a taxable income of less than $80,000 will receive a tax cut. Most taxpayers will receive a tax cut of around $300 a year. The Medicare levy low-income thresholds and phase in limits have been raised with the pensioner tax offset and senior Australians tax offset merged to form the new seniors and pensioners tax offset. For more information on personal income tax changes, visit the Australian Taxation Office website.
- a Low Income Supplement – an annual payment of $300 for low income earners who do not receive adequate assistance through tax cuts or other payments. Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information.
- a Single Income Family Supplement – from 1 July 2013, an additional payment of $300 will be available for middle income families with one primary earner whose income is between $68,000 and $150,000. Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information.
- a Low Income Family Supplement – an annual payment of $300 for Family Tax Benefit recipients who do not receive adequate assistance through tax cuts or other payments. Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information.
More information
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