Clean Energy Future Household Assistance Package
The Government has a comprehensive plan to move to a clean energy future. This includes:
- introducing a carbon price
- promoting innovation and investment in renewable energy
- encouraging energy efficiency
- creating opportunities in the land sector to cut pollution.
The price on carbon takes effect on 1 July 2012.
From 14 June 2012, more than 310,000 members of the veteran and defence community will be eligible to receive assistance through the Household Assistance Package to help with the cost of living impact of the carbon price.
This assistance package includes:
- the Clean Energy Advance - an initial payment of between $30 and $380 to be automatically paid to eligible recipients on 14 June 2012. Recipients of payments under children’s education schemes will receive an additional lump sum payment in July 2013. (Read more.)
- the Clean Energy Supplement – an ongoing payment, paid fortnightly or quarterly to eligible recipients from March 2013 for most payments. 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.
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 support those with higher than average energy costs because they rely on essential medical equipment at home. Persons holding a Commonwealth Government concession card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold or White Card; and who use certain essential medical equipment, or have certain medical conditions that require the use of additional heating and/or cooling in their home, may be entitled to claim the Essential Medical Equipment Payment. Read more.
- income tax cuts – for all taxpayers whose income is up to $80,000. Most will get a cut of around $300. Some will also benefit from changes to the Senior Australians Tax Offset and the Medicare levy low-income thresholds. For more information on changes to personal income tax rates, visit the Australian Taxation Office website.
- a Low Income Supplement – an annual payment of $300 for low income households that do not receive adequate assistance through tax cuts or other payments. Visit the the Department of Human Services website for more information.
- a Single Income Family Supplement – middle income families with one primary earner whose income is between $68,000 and $150,000 will receive a Single Income Family Supplement of up to $300 from 1 July 2013. Visit the the Department of Human Services website for more information.
More information
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