Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)

Finding it hard to pay your electricity or gas bill due to short-term affordability issues or a crisis or emergency? Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) could help.  

This NSW Government program offers payments to help individuals facing a short-term financial crisis or emergency, like: 

• unexpected medical expenses 
• a loss of income 
• high energy bills 
• family illness  
• family crisis  
• other unexpected expenses or bills. 

The way it works is simple: EAPA payments are electronically sent to your energy provider and added to your home electricity or gas account. 

Before seeking help

If you're struggling to pay your energy bill, talk to your energy provider first. All energy retailers in NSW have programs to help customers in financial difficulty to manage their bills. If you can't work it out with your provider, make an appointment for an EAPA assessment and let your provider know.

Your provider is not allowed to disconnect you if they know you have an appointment booked for an EAPA assessment.

How to access EAPA

You can apply for EAPA online through Service NSW or call 13 77 88. Approved EAPA providers (PDF 200KB), often community organisations, can also assist you and may offer extra support. If you're having trouble finding an agency in your area, contact us for help.

• The agency will assess whether you are eligible and decide the amount of EAPA available. You need to meet the eligibility criteria to apply. 
• EAPA payments are sent electronically to your provider, usually within five business days. 
• If you apply through an agency they may help you organise a payment plan for the rest of the bill or offer other assistance like financial counselling. 
• If you are unable to make arrangements to pay the rest, you can contact us for help. 

Other rebates and concessions

Apart from EAPA, there are other rebates and concessions available to energy and water customers.