HELP IS AT HAND

• Pensioners, low-income earners and some people with medical conditions may be eligible for rebates or concessions on their energy bills.

• A lot of these rebates are state or territory based. For a full list go to the government’s consumer website, moneysmart.gov.au, and search for "problems paying your utility debts".

• Your electricity or gas provider should also be able to help you with this. Many also provide "bill smoothing", where you can make fortnightly or monthly payments towards your future utility bills so it’s not so painful when the big bills hit.