Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the Energy Assistance Payment would be provided to people on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Parenting Payment Single, as well as Veterans and their partners who receive the Service Pension, Income Support Supplement and relevant compensation payments.

He said about 25,393 people in the Hume electorate would benefit. “The one-off payment is $75 for singles and $62.50 for each pensioner in a couple. It will be automatically paid to eligible recipients over the next two weeks,” Mr Taylor said.

The payment will not be taxed, will not be treated as income for tax purposes and does not count as income for social security purposes. Details: www.humanservices.gov.au/energyassist