Disconnections for electricity and gas in WA have hit a record high with more customers than ever on financial hardship programs.
According to the Economic Regulation Authority's 2016/17 report more people in WA are struggling to pay their bills than anywhere else in the country.
ERA chair Nicky Cusworth said the numbers of residents and businesses disconnected in the year was also at a six year high with residential electricity disconnections shooting up by 63 per cent compared to the previous year.
"The data shows there is a correlation between the increase in customers seeking help to pay their bill and the rise in disconnections,” she said.
The report covers the 2016/17 financial year, prior to the introduction of a 10.9 per cent hike in the fixed charge for electricity in July.
At the end of the last financial year 22,852 electricity customers and 18,643 gas customers, who were not on a hardship program, were repaying a debt to their retailer.
"Energy bill debt is an issue affecting many Western Australian households," said Ms Cusworth.
On average electricity customers on the government's hardship utility grant scheme owe an average of $596.
Last month the criteria for applying for the HUGS was adjusted, making many customers ineligible, following revelations $15.6 million of the allocated $20 million was shelled out in the first five months of the year.
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