1. Department of Human Services State Concessions Department of Human Services, Concessions Unit IWONA LIDER ELAINE BATEMAN

2. Objective of Concessions To improve the affordability of key services Directed to individuals who hold an appropriate Commonwealth card

3. Eligible Cards

4. Types of concessions Municipal Rates Concessions Water and Sewerage Concessions Energy Concessions (Winter Energy and Off-Peak Concessions) Emergency and Hardship Relief Grants – Utility Relief Grants – Capital Grants

5. The Life Support Concession A quarterly rebate on the electricity costs associated with the operation of certain life support machines –Oxygen concentrators –Polio respirators –Intermittent peritoneal dialysis –Haemodialysis machines

6. The Multiple Sclerosis Concession A 17.5 percent reduction on the final quarterly summer electricity bill (mid- February to mid-May) For cardholders or members of their household who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Acknowledges the high electricity costs incurred by MS sufferers

7. The Multiple Sclerosis Concession (cont) Sufferers of other conditions may be eligible for the concession Conditions include Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, quadriplegia and scleroderma Applications from sufferers of other conditions should be forwarded to the Concessions Unit

8. Publications and information Concessions information line 1800 658521 Guide to Concessions State concessions Your Entitlements brochure Posters and information cards www.dhs.vic.gov.au/concessions