Extended outage payment scheme

Customers affected by power interruptions lasting 12 continuous hours or longer may be eligible for an $80 payment under the State Government's Power Outage Payment Scheme.

This payment is available to electricity account holders who

• are on the South West Interconnected System or SWIS, and
• use less than 50MWh of electricity a year (less than $8,000 worth)  This includes nearly all houses and most small businesses.

If you live outside of the SWIS, you will need to contact Horizon Power (1800 267 926) to make a claim.

Clause 19 of  the Electricity Industry (Network Quality and Reliability of Supply) Code 2005 states that you may be eligible for a payment if:

• you had a power interruption lasting 12 continuous hours or longer
• at least 12 hours have elapsed from the time Western Power was notified of the interruption until power was restored 
• you have made the claim within 60 days of the interruption date 
• the interruption was not caused by or attributable to you or equipment under your control 
• the interruption is not a result of an emergency action taken by an authority such as the Police or Fire and Emergency Services 
• you did not request that the interruption occur 
• you have not previously been paid under the scheme for the same interruption at the same address

How to claim

If you think you are eligible for payment under this scheme, you can complete the online form or download the claim form in PDF format (PDF 159kb) and send it to:

Western Power reliability claim

Reply Paid 83021
Locked Bag 2504
Perth WA 6001

Claims must be received within 60 days of the date power is restored.

Claims assessment

We will assess your claim by verifying the information supplied in the claim form with our records. 

Successful claims will be paid within 30 days of Western Power receiving a claim form.  We will notify you in writing if your claim was unsuccessful, also within 30 days.

Payments will be made by cheque in the name of the electricity account holder and will be sent to the contact address on the claim form.

Terms and conditions

Please note that the Extended Outage Payment Scheme is separate to, and does not negate any Compensation for Damage claim, where customers are compensated for damage to property when Western Power is "at fault".

A payment under this scheme does not influence the acceptance, or rejection of any other compensation claims.