Information for Energy Hardship Training Program

North Yarra Community Health is hosting this free Energy Hardship Training which is presented by Community Information Victoria Inc on behalf of Consumer Affairs Victoria.
It is relevant for all emergency relief workers or volunteers whose role brings them in contact with people having difficulties paying their gas or electricity bills. This is likely to become a growing issue in the future with energy costs predicted to increase significantly in response to carbon pricing initiatives.

It will be held on March 7th 2008 from 10am – 1pm at NYCH, Fitzroy Centre, 75 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
Topics covered will include:
· The rights and responsibilities of customers and retailers
· Understanding energy bills and ways of making payment
· Assisting people who have payment difficulties
· Useful information about concessions, grants, loans, rebates, and other available support
· Disconnection
· Complaints and useful contacts

See Below

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FREE Energy Hardship Training Program for Emergency Relief Community Workers and Volunteers

Presented by Community Information Victoria Inc (CIVic) on behalf of Consumer Affairs Victoria

Community agencies offering emergency relief services now have access to FREE information and training programs as part of the Government’s A Fairer Victoria policy and in response to the 2005 Inquiry into Financial Hardship of Energy Consumers.

As it is now mandatory for energy retailers to have hardship policies for their domestic customers in Victoria, Community Information Victoria Inc (CIVic), on behalf of Consumer Affairs Victoria, is conducting free training programs in metropolitan and regional Victoria between February and June 2008 for staff and volunteers who work with clients facing energy hardship.

This 3-hour training session is relevant for emergency relief workers whose role brings them in contact with people having difficulties paying their gas or electricity bills.

Topics covered include:

• The rights and responsibilities of customers and retailers

• Understanding energy bills and ways of making payment

• Assisting people who have payment difficulties

• Useful information about concessions, grants, loans, rebates, and other available support

• Disconnection

• Complaints and useful contacts

Participants in the training sessions will receive a practical workbook. A statement of participation will be issued to those attending training and a light lunch will be provided.

How to register

Registration is required and can be made by completing the attached registration form and sending to: CIVic, Suite 412, Level 4, 343 Little Collins St, Melbourne, 3000

OR

Fax to: 03 96722099

OR

Email: civic@civ.org.au one week prior to the relevant training session

For further information about the upcoming training session times log on to www.civ.org.au

Contacts: Helen Besley on 03 96722002, email helen@civ.org.au or

Robyn Hosking on 03 9672 2004, email robyn@civ.org.au