The Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP) in Australia involves:
- an annual payment of $170 for each piece of approved/eligible essential medical equipment
- a single payment of $170 for medically required heating or cooling.
For example, if you have 2 pieces of equipment and need heating for your condition, you’ll get 3 payments each year. One payment for each piece of equipment, and one payment for the heating.
Once you get it, you don’t need to claim again for the same equipment or heating and cooling you get payments for. Centrelink will keep paying your payment each year until your circumstances change or you move address.
You only need to submit another claim if you either:
- get an extra piece of equipment that you need to claim
- change your address.
If you change your address, your claims will be cancelled at the old address and your payments will stop. You’ll then need to submit a new claim for the equipment, heating or cooling at your new address. When your payments start, you don’t need to claim them again. You’ll keep receiving payments each year until your circumstances change or you move address again.
This payment is designed to assist eligible individuals with the energy costs of running essential medical equipment or medically required heating or cooling.
It’s important to note that government policies and payment amounts can change over time. To obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the Essential Medical Equipment Payment, I recommend visiting the official website of Services Australia or contacting them directly. They can provide you with specific details and payment rates based on the current policies and your individual circumstances.