Medical Energy Rebate - questions & answers

Last updated: 1 July 2010

What is the Medical Energy Rebate?

The Medical Energy Rebate is for eligible customers who have an inability to self-regulate body temperature when exposed to extremes (hot or cold) of environmental temperatures. It is associated with certain medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. However, to be eligible for the Rebate a customer will require a separate diagnosis that they are unable to self-regulate their body temperature.

Who will qualify for the Medical Energy Rebate?

To be eligible for the Rebate:

• Either the account holder or anyone residing at the residence must have an inability to self-regulate body temperature. This requires a signed form by a medical practitioner who has been treating the patient for at least three months;
  AND
  
• The account holder must have one of the following concession cards:
  - Pensioner Concession Card issued by either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA);
  - Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
  - Health care card issued by Centrelink as a result of receiving one of a number of income support payments from the Commonwealth.

Your treating doctor of at least three months must certify your inability to self-regulate body temperature and complete an application form. Your doctor must confirm at least one of the Primary Qualifying Conditions and one of the Secondary Qualifying Conditions are met in order to be eligible for the Rebate.

What are the Primary Qualifying Conditions?

An applicant (either the account holder or anyone residing at the residence) must meet at least one of the Primary Qualifying Conditions as well as one of the Secondary Qualifying Conditions. The Primary Qualifying Conditions are:

• Autonomic system dysfunction: Medical conditions in which the autonomic system has been damaged, for example severe spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Loss of skin integrity or loss of sweating capacity: for example people with significant burns greater than 20 per cent, severe inflammatory skin conditions and some rare forms of disordered sweating.
• Objective reduction of physiological functioning at extremes of environmental temperatures: for example people with advanced Multiple Sclerosis.
• Hypersensitivity to extremes of environmental temperature leading to increased pain or other discomfort or an increased risk of complications; for example, people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Advanced Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Secondary Qualifying criteria

An applicant (either the account holder or anyone residing at the residence) must meet at least one of the Primary Qualifying Conditions as well as one of the Secondary Qualifying Conditions. The Secondary Qualifying Conditions are:

• Severe immobility (e.g. such as occurs with Quadriplegia or high level paraplegia, particularly above mid thoracic level (T7)
• Demonstrated significant loss of autonomic regulation of sweating, heart rate or blood pressure
• Demonstrated loss of physiological function or significant aggravation of clinical condition at extremes of environmental temperature.

How can I apply for the Medical Energy Rebate?

To apply for the Medical Energy Rebate you will need to submit an application form to your retailer. If you think you are eligible for the Rebate or would like to ask some more questions, contact your electricity retailer. Contact phone numbers can be found on your electricity bill.

You will need to complete a Medical Energy Rebate Application Form (128kb PDF) available here or from your electricity supplier and have it signed by a doctor who has been treating you for at least three months. Return completed forms to your electricity retailer.

See guidance on applying for the rebate (48kb PDF).

How much is the Medical Energy Rebate?

The Medical Energy Rebate increased to $145 a year on 1 July 2010. The Rebate will further increase to $161 per year from 1 July 2011.

How is the Medical Energy Rebate paid?

Payments will be made as a credit on each electricity bill.

Can I apply for the Medical Energy Rebate if I currently receive another electricity rebate from the NSW Government?

Yes. The Medical Energy Rebate can be received in addition to other assistance such as the Energy Rebate, the Life Support Rebate and the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme.

Will my eligibility for a valid concession card be regularly verified with Centrelink and/or the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Yes. Your electricity retailer will electronically verify your concession card eligibility after you provide written consent. Your consent is provided as part of the Application Form.

If I change my electricity retailer, will I continue to receive my Medical Energy Rebate?

Yes, the Rebate will continue to be paid by your electricity retailer, whether this is your existing retailer, or a new retailer. This is because all electricity retailers are required to deliver the NSW Government Medical Energy Rebate to eligible customers.

However, you will need to provide details to the new retailer regarding your entitlement to the NSW Medical Energy Rebate when you agree to a new contract with them. You may need to resubmit an application form.

Is the Medical Energy Rebate available to long-term residents of caravan parks?

Yes. The Medical Energy Rebate is available to long-term residents of caravan parks.