Energy Account Payment Assistance (EAPA)
The Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme helps people experiencing a short term financial crisis or emergency to pay their electricity or natural gas bill. The scheme helps people stay connected to essential energy services during a financial crisis.
How it works: EAPA vouchers are issued by participating providers (e.g, Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre, and our sister Centre, Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre). For a list of providers, click here or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
The EAPA Scheme operates through a voucher system and each voucher is worth $50. The EAPA provider assesses the customer’s situation and determines each case based on individual circumstances. The vouchers issued to the customer will be sent to the retailer electronically by the EAPA provider and the vouchers will be paid to the customer’s account.
To find out more about EAPA you can go to:
EAPA at Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre
If you are at risk of disconnection or in a financial crisis with a bill that is overdue ring us on 4388 5801 to make an appointment. You should bring a copy of your original account and any subsequent correspondence from your energy provider with you. We cannot help with re-connection fees or non-current residential addresses.
We offer this assistance to people who reside in the following areas: Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Fountaindale, and Glenning Valley.
Other Energy Rebates
There are several other kinds of rebates available to assist people with their energy bills:
- Family Energy Rebate,
- Gas Rebate,
- Low Income Household Rebate,
- Life Support Rebates,
- Medical Energy Rebates.
To find out more, go to http://www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/energy-consumers/financial-assistance/rebates
Rebate Increase Update 4/9/17
The NSW Government has just announced changes to the Energy Account Payment Assistance (EAPA) program and the energy rebates. For EAPA, the new limits are up to 6 vouchers ($300) per bill and up to 12 vouchers ($600) per year for both electricity and gas accounts. Information about the other rebate changes, which will be implemented ‘as early as possible’ is shown below.
| Rebate | Current rate pa | New rate pa |
| Low income Household Rebate | $235 | $285 |
| Family Energy Rebate | $150
($15 part payment) |
$180
($20 part payment) |
| Gas Rebate | $90 $99 |
$110 $121 |
| Life Support Rebate | up to $1120 | up to $1320 |
| Medical Energy Rebate | $235 | $285 |
| Energy Accounts Payment Assistance
(EAPA) |
5 x $50 vouchers per bill claim, max twice per year (total $500 annually) | 6 x $50 vouchers per bill claim , max twice per year (total $600 annually) |
Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre obtains surplus fresh fruit and vegetables through the Second Bite Program, which organises the provision of surplus fresh food to community food programs around Australia. We obtain our surplus food from Coles at Chittaway Bay.
We will usually have fresh fruit and vegetables, and occasionally bread, on Mondays and Thursdays from 12 noon. Please note that there are occasional times when Coles doesn’t have any produce to give us.
If you are in need of further food help, go to https://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/community-directory/search-results?keyword=Food to see which services in the 2261 area may be able to help you.
Seniors Internet
A Seniors Broadband Internet Kiosk has been established by Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre which will be available free of charge to people aged 50 years and over.
BVNC was able to set up the kiosk with funding from the Federal Government’s Broadband for Senior’s project.
The aim of the internet kiosk is to:
- Provide older people with free access to computers and the internet;
- Support older people to gain confidence and build skills in using new technology through tutoring partnerships;
- Address the issue of older people feeling isolated and ‘left behind’ in a rapidly changing technological age; and
- Build community participation and social inclusion for older people.
The BVNC Seniors Kiosk will provide internet access to seniors so they can send and receive emails, swap files and photos and meet with other seniors who are venturing on to the internet for the first time.
BVNC staff and volunteers will be able to provide tutoring for seniors in computer and broadband use.
The internet Kiosk is located in The Berkeley Centre, 1 Heather Ave, Glenning Valley and the hours of operation will be flexible between 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday. Anyone interested in arranging a tuition session should contact Gillian Holton on 43885801.
Use of Equipment
By appointment, the following services are available:
- Photocopying
- Computer & Internet Access
- Laminating
- Shredder
Laminating Costs
[fancy_table]
| Photo |
50c per copy |
| A4 | $1.50 per copy |
| A3 | $2.20 per copy |
[/fancy_table]
Printing Costs
[fancy_table]
| Black & White | Colour | |
| A4 | 10c per copy | 30c per copy |
| A3 | 20c per copy | 60c per copy |
There is a Counselling Service available here at BVNC. Counsellor Ali provides couple counselling, individual counselling, relationship counselling, and teenage counselling. You can find out more about her service at http://www.aliscounselling.com/.
Rates start from $35, with Relationship/Family Counselling starting from $65. There is a discounted rate for low income earners and concession card holders. For further information on fees or to make an appointment, please contact Ali during business hours by calling 0402 668 952 or email aliscounselling@gmail.com.
Tax Help
Tax Help is currently unavailable at BVNC. Please check Central Coast Council Wyong’s website at https://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/community-directory/search-results?keyword=tax+help to find other Tax Help in the 2261 Postcode area.
The Berkeley Centre Room Hire
Please Contact Amelia at Wyong Shire Council on 02 4350 5456.
