- Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) grants eligibility extended to include public housing tenants with unpaid water bills
- Eligible tenants can receive a grant payment equalling 85 per cent of their water debt, up to the value of $640 or $1,060 above the 26th parallel
- HUGS grants support individuals and families facing financial hardship to maintain their connection to essential utility services
The Cook Labor Government is expanding targeted cost-of-living relief by delivering on its election commitment to provide Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) grants to public housing tenants with unpaid water bills.
Public housing tenants who have applied and are deemed eligible can receive a grant payment equalling 85 per cent of their water debt to the Department of Housing and Works, up to the value of $640 or $1,060 for residents above the 26th parallel.
In addition to the grant payment, tenants who would like further support can be referred to services such as financial counselling, legal advocacy and Foodbank.
HUGS grants support individuals and families facing financial hardship to maintain their connection to essential utility services.
Since July 2024, the State Government has supported more than 13,000 Western Australian households who are facing financial hardship to maintain their utility connections through HUGS.
Further details and the eligibility criteria can be found online here .
As stated by Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"The State Government is continuing to provide targeted, meaningful cost-of-living relief for Western Australians who are doing it tough.
"By expanding HUGS to include public housing tenants with a water debt, we're ensuring that more Western Australians remain connected to utilities during times of financial hardship.
"Additionally, tenants will be offered financial support, giving them the tools to successfully manage their budgets."
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"The expansion of HUGS to outstanding water bills will provide targeted cost-of-living relief to tenants facing financial stress and delivers on our election commitment.
"This measure is another way our government is targeting support to keep people in safe and secure housing, following the extension of our successful Rent Relief Program to the end of the year.
"Since 2021 our government has invested $5.8 billion in housing and homelessness measures, including funding programs to increase the supply of rentals, accelerate social housing delivery and provide assistance to vulnerable tenants."
