❓ Details changes to the Hardship Utilities Grants Program (HUGS) eligibility since its inception in 2008, including expanding participating utility providers, refining financial hardship definitions, improving accessibility through a Second Entry Point, and modifying the eligibility period.
AnsweredQoN 1260Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Can the Minister please advise on the details of any change to the application eligibility of the Hardship Utilities Grants Program since inception?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 August 2014
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
63 days
The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) Guidelines were established in August 2008 and last updated in March 2014.
At the inception of HUGS in 2008, only customers of Synergy, Horizon Power and the Water Corporation were able to apply for HUGS. The number of utility providers participating in HUGS has increased over time. In 2014, customers of the following utility providers are eligible to apply for a HUGS grant:
· Synergy;
· Horizon Power;
· Water Corporation;
· Alinta Energy;
· Aqwest;
· Busselton Water;
· Kleenheat Gas; and
· Esperance Gas Distribution Company (previously known as WorleyParsons Asset Management).
Since the inception of HUGS there have been a number of refinements to the HUGS Guidelines to ensure easier access to applicants and to clarify and streamline criteria. Details of the changes are listed below:
· Change to the definition of financial hardship:
o Initially an applicant had to be either at risk of disconnection or restricted of supply; or been disconnected or restricted from supply.
o In the updated Guidelines an applicant must be unable to pay for a current total account balance, or has been disconnected or restricted from supply.
· Change to the accessibility of the scheme:
o Initially only HUGS registered financial counsellors were able to assess applicants and recommend a HUGS grant.
o In 2011, a Second Entry Point was implemented as a trial to provide customers with greater accessibility to HUGS by allowing customers to apply directly to most utility providers for some HUGS grants. The trial was successful and was implemented as a permanent feature of the HUGS in August 2012.
Specific eligibility criteria were introduced for customers who apply for HUGS grants through the Second Entry Point. These include:
o Customers can only apply for a Normal Grant through the Second Entry Point;
o Customers can not apply for an Additional Grant or an Exceptional Circumstances Grant through the Second Entry Point;
o Customers can only apply for one Normal Grant per calendar year through the Second Entry Point; and
o Customers can only apply for a Normal Grant through the Second Entry Point if the total bill amount is $605 (South of S26) and $1004 (North of S26).
· Change to eligibility period:
o The 12 month eligibility period for a HUGS grant was based on the date that a customer first received a HUGS grant, an 'anniversary' date.
o Since 2013, the 12 month eligibility period commences 1 January and concludes 31 December each calendar year.
In 2014, eligibility criteria were developed for staff members of utility providers, financial counselling services and officers of the Department for Child Protection and Family Support who are involved in the HUGS assessment, recommendation and approval processes.
At the inception of HUGS in 2008, only customers of Synergy, Horizon Power and the Water Corporation were able to apply for HUGS. The number of utility providers participating in HUGS has increased over time. In 2014, customers of the following utility providers are eligible to apply for a HUGS grant:
· Synergy;
· Horizon Power;
· Water Corporation;
· Alinta Energy;
· Aqwest;
· Busselton Water;
· Kleenheat Gas; and
· Esperance Gas Distribution Company (previously known as WorleyParsons Asset Management).
Since the inception of HUGS there have been a number of refinements to the HUGS Guidelines to ensure easier access to applicants and to clarify and streamline criteria. Details of the changes are listed below:
· Change to the definition of financial hardship:
o Initially an applicant had to be either at risk of disconnection or restricted of supply; or been disconnected or restricted from supply.
o In the updated Guidelines an applicant must be unable to pay for a current total account balance, or has been disconnected or restricted from supply.
· Change to the accessibility of the scheme:
o Initially only HUGS registered financial counsellors were able to assess applicants and recommend a HUGS grant.
o In 2011, a Second Entry Point was implemented as a trial to provide customers with greater accessibility to HUGS by allowing customers to apply directly to most utility providers for some HUGS grants. The trial was successful and was implemented as a permanent feature of the HUGS in August 2012.
Specific eligibility criteria were introduced for customers who apply for HUGS grants through the Second Entry Point. These include:
o Customers can only apply for a Normal Grant through the Second Entry Point;
o Customers can not apply for an Additional Grant or an Exceptional Circumstances Grant through the Second Entry Point;
o Customers can only apply for one Normal Grant per calendar year through the Second Entry Point; and
o Customers can only apply for a Normal Grant through the Second Entry Point if the total bill amount is $605 (South of S26) and $1004 (North of S26).
· Change to eligibility period:
o The 12 month eligibility period for a HUGS grant was based on the date that a customer first received a HUGS grant, an 'anniversary' date.
o Since 2013, the 12 month eligibility period commences 1 January and concludes 31 December each calendar year.
In 2014, eligibility criteria were developed for staff members of utility providers, financial counselling services and officers of the Department for Child Protection and Family Support who are involved in the HUGS assessment, recommendation and approval processes.
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