Gov help to make dollar work

QUEENSLANDERS can make their money stretch further with support from the state government.

A host of rebates and concessions are available to help cover the cost of utilities, council rates, vehicle registration and educational costs – to name a few.

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Households will get a $175 Cost of Living Rebate from September, to help cover the cost of power bills. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement alongside Treasurer Cameron Dick and Energy Minister Mick de Brenni, to increase the state’s support, up from $50. This is in addition to any other energy rebate households may be eligible for.

Pensioners and seniors may be able to claim the Electricity Rebate of $372.20 a year and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate of $80.77 a year. You can apply through your provider. A separate rebate system applies to people who live in residential park homes or multi-unit residential premises.

Those experiencing difficulties paying for their electricity or gas bill as a result of an emergency or recent short-term financial crisis may be eligible for support up to $720 to help pay bills, through the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme. Conditions apply.

Eligible pensioners who live in the South East Queensland Water Grid can receive up to $120 a year off the cost of water usage and access charges. Contact provider to apply.

EDUCATION

The Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme provides a subsidy to help cover costs, which is paid directly to approved program providers.

There are several ways remote families can access support to cover education costs. Some options include the Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAHAS) or

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (AICS). The subsidy rates for LAHAS varies depending on the type of allowance but can be up to $4063, and up to $11,396 for AICS boarding fees. There is additional support for travel costs as well. Students who attend the School of Distance Education may be able to get support to cover the cost of computer equipment through the Distance Education ICT Subsidy Scheme.

Families with children in high school may be able to get support up to $295 a year for each student to help the cost of textbooks and learning resources. The amount depends on the student’s school year.

There are scholarships available for students, predominantly Year 12 students to help with tertiary education costs.

School students with a disability that needs transport between school and home may be able to get financial assistance. The application must be approved by the Education Department.

Children may be able to get support to participate in sports through FairPlay, which provides vouchers up to $150. Conditions apply.

HEALTH

People who live with a specific medical condition that requires running heating or cooling devices may be eligible to receive $372.21 a year towards power bills. Conditions apply and it must be signed off by a medical specialist.

Similarly, those needing to run life-support equipment at home may be eligible for $507.65 a year for each kidney dialysis machine used, as well as $758.04 a year for each oxygen concentrator. The machines must be provided by the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) or Queensland Health.

The MASS also helps provide a subsidy to cover costs of gear such as mobility aids, spectacles and artificial limbs for eligible people.

Eligible residents may be able to get free public dental care. Conditions apply.

Those who are deaf or hearing-impaired may be eligible for a subsidy to help pay for a specialty smoke alarm, thanks to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Patients referred to a medical specialist not available in their local area may be eligible to apply for a subsidy to help with travel, such as airfares or personal car, and accommodation costs. A subsidy of up to $60 a person each night is available for hotel stays, as part of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. Conditions apply.

TRANSPORT

People with severe disabilities may be able to get a 50 per cent discount off the cost of taxi journeys through the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, which will pay up to a maximum of $30 a trip. You must apply to be a member to receive the discount. There is additional support if the person requires a wheelchair accessible taxi.

Pension card holders or farmers may get a discount on the cost of registering a boat or vehicle. Conditions apply.

Discounted public transport is also available.

HOUSING

Renters may be able to get an interest-free, fee-free Bond Loan to cover the bond for private rentals. The loan amount is for a maximum of four weeks rent. There is also the Bond Loan Plus, which provides a maximum of six weeks rent, or Rental Grant, which is a oneoff payment for two weeks rent for people in a housing crisis. Conditions apply.

First-home buyers may be able to get $15,000 towards the cost of buying or building a new home, valued at less than $750,000.

Homeowners may also be able to get a concession or exemption on the transfer duty. First homeowners may not have to pay stamp duty fees, depending on the value of their home. For those who have owned a home before, they may be eligible for a discount on transfer duty for the first $350,000, potentially saving buyers up to $7175. Conditions apply.

Eligible people may be able to receive up to $1500 to update smoke alarms to meet the standards under the Fire and Emergency Services Act.