ENERGY REBATES

This is a copy of a post I wrote as a reply to Mobility Allowance, so sorry if you have already read it, but I think it warranted its own Topic.

The Energy Rebate, now called the Low Income Household Rebate which gives you $200 a year (as at July 2011) off your energy bill is now available. All you have to do to get this, is phone your Electricity provider, tell them you are applying for the Low Income Household Rebate (some people still call it the Energy Rebate) and tell them your DVA Number or Centrelink CRN and give them permission to contact DVA/Centrelink to confirm it. Job Done.

According to NSW Government web page: http://www.dtiris.nsw.gov.au/energy/customers/rebates

Eligibility for the Low Income Household Rebate is the same as the former Energy Rebate. These are electricity account holders who hold either a:

• Pensioner Concession Card issued by either Centrelink or the DVA;
• Gold Card issued by the DVA marked with either:

War Widow or War Widower Pension
Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI)
Disability Pension;

• Health Care Card issued by Centrelink as a result of receiving one of a number of income support payments from the Commonwealth.

If you are a T7 or above SCI you are also entitled to an additional $200 per year (as at July 2011)rebate under the Medical Energy Rebate. This requires you to fill in an extremely easy (tick a couple of boxes form) and get your Doctor to sign it. Application form and more info can be found on the link mentioned above.

So there you go, $400 off a year if you qualify for both!

Hope this brings you a smile!

Ocean Beach Holiday Park - Umina

I recently went to the Ocean Beach Holiday Park in Umina with my family. The accommodation was great. We had the wheelchair accessible 'Plantation Villa', which was only 6 months old. This was a two Bedroom (one Double and two single beds) with an open plan Kitchen, Dining, Sitting Area. There was also a large deck with an al fresco dining area with a table that seated 6.

As for accessibility: It had a ramp up to the deck, lowered kitchen benches, with access underneath the sink. The bathroom was good, with a shower hose, and curtained shower with no hob. There were a couple of minor obstacles however - A small step at the threshold which just made it awkward to push outside when holding a drink etc, or to be able to shut the door behind you. A slight slope up to the bathroom with a little lip at the entrance. This was only small but just enough to be annoying if using a self propelling commode chair. Also as the shower curtain did not reach the floor, the bathroom was prone to slight "flooding" after a shower, which made it very slippery for walkers.

We pushed the double bed against the wall to give me room to interchange my wheelchair and commode chair independently. It was initially difficult to access the wardrobe as you had to approach from the side and the therefore opened the door into yourself, however, when I pointed this out they hinged the door on the other side making it accessible.

The swimming pool was not accessible with out getting onto the floor and getting in that way, however they are planning on building another pool which will hopefully be accessible. The have a beach chair if you want to be pushed onto the beach, but you will need a pretty robust pusher as it was a bit of an effort.

All in all, for a family holiday it was great. Loads for the kids to do, with playgrounds and the pool etc., and so many kids that they readily made friends with each other. We had so much fun that we extended for another week and have already booked for next year.

www.oceanbeachholidaypark.com.au

Randwick Waverley Community Transport

WHO WE ARE

We are a non-profit community organisation whose aim is to help the transport disadvantaged.

We are part of a wider program called Home and Community Care (HACC) that offers support services to frail older people, people with disabilities, and their carers, to enable them to continue living in their own homes and communities.

Randwick Waverley Community Transport Group is an accredited operator with the Ministry of Transport.

WHAT WE DO

Individual Transport: Transport to hospital, medical, dental, and social visits to family or friends.

Shopping Transport: A door to door weekly shopping bus service with help to carry your shopping.

Social Transport: For group social trips to clubs, sightseeing and theatre.

WHO CAN USE THE SERVICES

People who are older, frail, or have an illness or disability that makes ordinary transport difficult. Our services are designed to assist people who don’t or can’t drive, cannot arrange transport through a friend or relative, can’t use public transport, or afford ordinary transport.

TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSPORT

You can be registered for membership by simply phoning the office. Office hours are between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, 9369 5366.

Before you start using our service we will need to ask you a few questions. These questions are for our records to ensure that we provide you with the most effective service for your individual needs.

The information we ask you to provide is essential and is confidential between you the client, and our service.

and our service.



Please don’t hesitate to express any concerns about the questions we ask you.

Randwick Waverley Community Transport

31-33 Spring Street

Bondi Junction NSW 2022

Postal Address:

PO Box 788

Bondi Junction NSW 1355



To contact us:

Phone: 9369 5366

Fax: 9369 2676

E-mail: info@rwctg.org.au

www.rwctg.org.au

Randwick Waverley Community Transport

WHO WE ARE

We are a non-profit community organisation whose aim is to help the transport disadvantaged.

We are part of a wider program called Home and Community Care (HACC) that offers support services to frail older people, people with disabilities, and their carers, to enable them to continue living in their own homes and communities.

Randwick Waverley Community Transport Group is an accredited operator with the Ministry of Transport.

WHAT WE DO

Individual Transport: Transport to hospital, medical, dental, and social visits to family or friends.

Shopping Transport: A door to door weekly shopping bus service with help to carry your shopping.

Social Transport: For group social trips to clubs, sightseeing and theatre.

WHO CAN USE THE SERVICES

People who are older, frail, or have an illness or disability that makes ordinary transport difficult. Our services are designed to assist people who don’t or can’t drive, cannot arrange transport through a friend or relative, can’t use public transport, or afford ordinary transport.

TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSPORT

You can be registered for membership by simply phoning the office. Office hours are between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, 9369 5366.

Before you start using our service we will need to ask you a few questions. These questions are for our records to ensure that we provide you with the most effective service for your individual needs.

The information we ask you to provide is essential and is confidential between you the client, and our service.

and our service.



Please don’t hesitate to express any concerns about the questions we ask you.

Randwick Waverley Community Transport

31-33 Spring Street

Bondi Junction NSW 2022

Postal Address:

PO Box 788

Bondi Junction NSW 1355



To contact us:

Phone: 9369 5366

Fax: 9369 2676

E-mail: info@rwctg.org.au

www.rwctg.org.au

Macarthur Wheelchair Users Support Network Meetings

Macarthur Wheelchair Users Support Network Meetings

A group of wheelchair users from the three local government areas of Campbelltown, Wollondilly and Camden, with assistance from Macarthur Disability Services (MDS) have recently set up the Macarthur Wheelchair Users Support Network.

The network is open to all wheelchair users (with any disability) and their friends and provides information, support and most importantly a voice for wheelchair users in the Macarthur.

This network aims to create a greater awareness among existing and new wheelchair users on the range of services, structures and programs available to enable full participation and equality of opportunity in community life. This will be achieved by sharing experiences and personal knowledge of wheelchair users within the network.

Meetings are held monthly at Campbelltown Library, Cnr Hurley Street and Camden Road, Campbelltown.

Next meeting: 27 April 2009, 1.00pm-2.30pm


For more information contact:

Patrick Vasquez, ph (02) 4621 8400,
Eric Third, ph (02) 4677 2048
Paul Hawkins, ph (02) 4621 8400