Duration: 1 minute 41 seconds
Narration: Female voiceover
[Video begins]
[Voiceover]: It’s completely normal to worry about paying bills, especially high energy bills.
[Description]: An animated man's bald head sweats.
[Voiceover]: But did you know that every Victorian has the right to get help from their energy company if they can’t pay their bills?
[Description]: An animated elderly man in blue shorts does stretches in front of a television.
[Voiceover]: Yes, that’s right. Rules are in place to make sure every Victorian is treated fairly and can manage the cost of energy.
[Description]: The man puts a thumbs up.
[Voiceover]: Call your energy company as soon as you can to get the help you need. It doesn’t matter if you’re struggling to pay one bill or many.
[Description]: An animated woman sitting on a chair makes a phone call.
[Voiceover]: When you call your energy company, they must work out how much it regularly costs to provide energy to your home.
[Description]: The woman making a call talks, a speech box with a chart is shown.
[Voiceover]: If you can’t afford this amount, ask to be put on a payment plan. Your energy company must accept this.
[Description]: A man writes on paper. A large dollar sign expands into multiple smaller dollar signs.
[Voiceover]: If you owe money from previous bills, your energy company will freeze payment towards this for 6 months.
[Description]: An animated red dollar sign lands into a glass of water and turns blue. The man drinks the water.
[Voiceover]: While these payments are frozen, your energy company must help you reduce your energy costs down to a level you can afford.
[Description]: Animated hands use a laptop to make a video call.
[Voiceover]: How? One, your company will put you on the cheapest energy plan.
[Description]: An animated finger points to an energy bill.
[Voiceover]: Two, they’ll provide tips to help you use less energy around the house.
[Description]: Four animated situations play simultaneously; a woman using a heater, a man reclining on a chair with a heater on, a man using a draft stopper, and a woman near a fireplace.
[Voiceover]: Three, they’ll check to make sure you’re getting all your concessions. They’ll also see if you can get a government grant to help pay your debt.
[Description]: Animated hands browse on a laptop for different energy concessions.
[Voiceover]: If you company won’t help, call the free energy ombudsman service on 1800 500 509. They will resolve any disputes.
[Description]: An animated man points to the numbers “1800 500 509”.
[Voiceover]: You have the right to affordable energy. So make sure you ask your energy company for help.
[Description]: The man watches TV from a couch.
[Voiceover]: For more tips on taking control, check out the energy info hub website or just pick up the phone and take charge of your energy bills today.
[Description]: The URL energyinfohub.org.au appears.