Produced by the Social Justice Committee for the St Vincent de Paul Society
SJC
43-45 Prospect Street, Box Hill Locked Bag 4800 Box Hill Vic 3128 Ph: 03 9895 5800 Fax: 03 98955850
speaking
Home Wise Program (Formerly known as “Capital Grants”) The Home Wise Program is a grant to assist households with the repair or replacement of an essential appliance which is faulty and/or has failed within the last 12 months. The applicant must be a current concession cardholder and for fixed appliances, be the owner of the property. The fixed appliances covered by the Home Wise Program are: Hot water services, wall heaters, upright stoves, water tanks, generators, toilets, leaking water pipes, leaking gas pipes. The non-fixed appliances covered by the Home Wise Program are: Refrigerators and washing machines. Home Wise Program grants are available to households which: • Hold a current Concession Card, and • Own the property for fixed appliances (does not have to own the property if applying for a fridge or a washing machine). The applicant must show that they have no savings to meet the cost of repair or replacement of the faulty or failed appliance. The household will only be entitled to 2 grants every 10 years. To apply, call Contact the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521. DHS will mail out an application form, which must be completed and returned. An assessment of this application is then made by DHS. If the application is successful, DHS will arrange for a contractor to inspect the appliance, and if practical, effect repairs under the grant. If repairs are not practical, DHS will arrange for the contractor to supply and install a new appliance under the grant. Send completed application forms to: Concessions Unit Department of Human Services P O Box 4057 Melbourne Vic 3001. Ph: 1800 658 521 More information is available at http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/concessions/entitlements/viewall/hardship/home-wise