Eligibility for Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP) 008-01040020

EMEP is paid to eligible customers with medical needs (or their carers who live at the same residence):

• to cover the additional costs of running:
• each item of essential medical equipment, and/or
• medically required heating/cooling
• every 12 months based on the customer’s initial grant date. Customers will not have to lodge a new claim each year to continue to receive the payment

Once granted, EMEP is:

• automatically paid every 12 months on the grant date anniversary
• paid until the customer loses qualification or there is a change of circumstances

For the payment amount, see  Rates and thresholds > Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP).

Note: EMEP is subject to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). On 1 July each year, EMEP rates increase in line with the CPI. All claims made on or after this date will receive the applicable rate of EMEP.

Eligible customers

A claim for EMEP can be made by a:

• person with medical needs (equipment user). To be eligible to claim, the equipment user must:
• use essential medical equipment (see the Resources page for alternative names), and/or medically required heating/cooling, and
• hold or be listed on a qualifying concession card
• carer of the eligible equipment user. To be eligible to claim, the carer must:
• live at the same residential address as the equipment user
• provide care and attention on a regular and ongoing basis for the eligible equipment user.
• hold or be listed on a qualifying concession card

Note: non-concession card carers can still claim EMEP if the equipment user holds, or is listed on a qualifying concession card.

To qualify for payment, other requirements also apply:

• proof of medical needs
• energy account and payment
• not exceed maximum EMEPs in a 12 month period
• dependent child status
• reside in Australia
• live in a valid residence
• different residences (if applicable), and
• shared equipment at same residence (if applicable)