The EAPA scheme is administered by the NSW Government’s Office of Energy & Climate Change (OECC). It offers short-term support to NSW households facing difficulty paying their electricity or natural gas bill due to a sudden financial crisis or emergency in the form of $50 digital vouchers that can be applied towards existing utility bills. Households are eligible for a maximum of 2 applications per energy type (electricity or natural gas) and can receive a maximum of up to 10 vouchers per application in a financial year. The NSW Government has continued the temporarily increased EAPA limits for electricity and gas, from $300 to $500 from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. 

Between November 2023 and June 2024, the Society has successfully assessed approximately 460 primary clients, providing EAPA support worth of $141,850 across 7 central councils - Sydney Arch, Broken Bay, Greater Western Sydney, Armidale, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong. Currently we have 25 active Conferences across NSW. 

We are hoping to onboard new Conferences as well as the remaining Central Councils this financial year. Please spread the word and encourage members and volunteers to opt-in for the EAPA scheme. If a council or conference is not currently participating and have members or volunteers who wish to, please contact member.programs@vinnies.org.au for training and onboarding. 

Members and volunteers are encouraged to circulate the EAPA Factsheet and Marketing Poster (resources are available on MAVS) to your local community organisations – e.g. a community centre, an aboriginal health centre, Country Women’s Association, farmer’s association, other churches, local council, local MPs office, Service NSW/Centrelink office. Make some valuable connections in the community while you are doing it and tell them about your great work with the Society