WA Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS)
WA utility customers in financial hardship who've completed a payment arrangement with their provider can apply for a one-off grant toward their outstanding electricity, gas or water debt.
Up to $640 per financial year (up to $1,060 north of and including Denham, on the 26th parallel), capped at 85% of the amount outstanding.
Who qualifies
WA residential utility customers assessed by their provider as in financial hardship (not just payment difficulty), who have completed at least a 90-day payment arrangement and still owe more than $300.
Eligibility, quoted from the source
“you contact your utility provider to discuss your outstanding debt and you are assessed by your utility provider as being in financial hardship and not in payment difficulty; you have exhausted all your options with the utility provider and enter into a payment arrangement for at least 90 days to address the outstanding debt; and after completion of the payment arrangement, if your outstanding bill is still more than $300.”
How to claim
- Contact your utility provider as soon as you're struggling to pay and ask about a financial hardship assessment
- Complete a payment arrangement of at least 90 days without a disconnection or restriction notice
- Ask your provider to start the HUGS application on your behalf once the arrangement is complete
- Complete the HUGS Service Centre assessment -- the Department of Communities makes the final decision
Sources
- https://www.wa.gov.au/service/community-services/community-support/hardship-utility-grant-scheme (accessed 10/18/2026)
- https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Expanded-HUGS-program-to-further-support-public-housing-tenants-20250715 (accessed 10/18/2026)
Last checked 10/26/2026
You may be eligible for this, but we can't confirm eligibility or amounts. Always check the official source before you claim.
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