About the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance is the NSW Government's emergency help for people who cannot pay an electricity or gas bill because of a short-term crisis. It is paid as $50 vouchers credited to your energy account.
You do not need a concession card. What matters is that you are the account holder, the latest bill is unpaid and you are facing a short-term hardship such as job loss, medical bills or a natural disaster.
An important protection comes with it: once you have booked an EAPA assessment and told your energy provider, it cannot disconnect you. EAPA is not for ongoing hardship, for which your retailer's hardship program is the right place to start.
Who can get it
- You live in NSW and have an electricity or natural gas account for your home in your name.
- You have not paid your most recent bill and the account is still open.
- You are in short-term financial hardship, a crisis or an emergency, such as losing income, unexpected medical costs, a natural disaster or a disconnection notice.
How to apply
- Contact your energy provider first to ask about a payment plan or extension.
- Apply online through Service NSW, or book an assessment by phone or in person with an approved EAPA provider such as a community organisation.
- Tell your energy provider you have an EAPA appointment. By law it cannot disconnect you while an assessment is booked.
How it is paid: As vouchers applied directly to your energy account by your provider.
Contact: Service NSW, 13 77 88. Official information.
Moving or switching retailer?
Concessions applied by your retailer do not always move with you. When you move house or switch, give your card details to the new retailer and check the next bill. See how to claim a concession.
Other energy help in New South Wales
- Low Income Household Rebate: Up to $285 a year ($313.50 in embedded networks).
- Family Energy Rebate: Up to $180 a year ($198 in embedded networks).
- Seniors Energy Rebate: $200 a year.
- Medical Energy Rebate: Up to $285 a year ($313.50 in embedded networks).
- Life Support Rebate: Depends on equipment, up to $1,343.20 a year.
- NSW Gas Rebate: Up to $110 a year ($121 in embedded networks).
- Home Energy Saver: Discount up to $4,000 or zero-interest loan up to $15,000.
- Air conditioner upgrade incentive: Up to about $550 to $560 off a 6 kW system.
- Hot water upgrade incentive: Up to about $640 off a heat pump.
See every program on our New South Wales rebates page.
Common questions
EAPA is paid in $50 vouchers. The number of vouchers depends on your bill and circumstances, which an approved provider assesses.
No. The NSW Government says your provider is not allowed to disconnect you if it knows you have an EAPA assessment booked.
No. EAPA does not cover bottled LPG. You may be eligible for the NSW Gas Rebate instead.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.