What is the Heating Allowance?

The Heating Allowance is administered under the Pensioners (Heating Allowances) Act 1971 and grants an allowance of $56 per year to eligible pensioners living in Tasmania to assist with heating costs. Two instalment payments of $28 are made on 15th May and 15th September each year. Eligibility is means tested and successful applicants do not need to re-apply each year for the allowance.

Applying for the Heating Allowance

To apply for the Heating Allowance you can complete an online Heating Allowance Application Form or request a Heating Allowance Application Form to be sent to you via mail by emailing heating.allowance@communities.tas.gov.au or calling 1800 300 068.

More Information

Eligible Pensions (full rate)

  • Age Pension
  • Carer Payment
  • Disability Support Pension (DSP)
  • Parenting Payment
  • Service Pension

Income and Assets Tests

  • Single pensioners:
    • Cannot earn more than $10 per week in excess of the pension ($12 per week extra earnings allowed per dependent child under 16)
    • Cannot have more than $1,750 in cash assets
  • Married or de facto pensioners:
    • Cannot earn more than $20 per week in excess of the pension ($12 per week extra earnings allowed per dependent child under 16)
    • Cannot have more than $2,750 in cash assets

Other Information

  • Only one Heating Allowance payment is allowed per household
  • Residents of boarding houses must pay a specific electricity amount in addition to their rent
  • Carers Allowance and Mobility Allowance do not count as extra income
  • People who receive a part overseas pension are not eligible for the Heating Allowance
  • Changes to circumstances should be advised as soon as they occur

We need to know changes such as:

  • You have changed bank account details
  • You have moved address
  • You have changed marital status
  • You have started receiving extra income
  • You have started receiving an overseas pension
  • You have stopped receiving a pension

Changes? Questions? Get in touch!

Email: heating.allowance@communities.tas.gov.au

Free call: 1800 300 068 (within Tasmania)

Mail:    Department of Communities Tasmania

Heating Allowance

GPO Box 65

HOBART TAS 7001