Are you or a member of your household Medically Dependent on mains electricity?

If you or anyone in your household is medically dependent on electricity please contact us. A medically dependent consumer is someone who is dependent on mains electricity for critical medical support, where loss of electricity might result in serious harm to them.

Critical medical equipment includes, but is not limited to, renal dialysis machines, ventilators and oxygen concentrators and can also include non-medical equipment needed to support medical treatment (i.e. a microwave to heat fluids for renal dialysis).

The medical dependency will be recorded against your account so that you stay connected (unless it is a situation outside of our control, for which you will need a back-up plan).

* You can read more about rely on electricity for medical reasons from EA website here.

To register Medical Dependency

If you or a member of your household is medically dependent (such as you – the person that pays the electricity bill – a child or any other person that normally lives at the property), please let us know as soon as possible by following these steps

1. Call us on 0800 634 283 so that we can update our records.
2. Please download, and complete the Vulnerable Consumer Application Form here.

Once completed, scan and email a copy to us at help@megatel.co.nz

Essential Backup Plan and Safety

Your electricity supply cannot be guaranteed 100% of the time. Bad weather or a fault could mean you lose power, so it is important that you have a backup plan in place. Your backup plan could include a backup power supply, a battery or generator, torch, an analogue phone, going to a friend or family member’s home who has power or, in an emergency, calling an ambulance. If you rely on electricity for medical equipment we also suggest you contact your local hospital, GP or the supplier of any essential equipment to discuss backup options.

If for any reason you are without supply, please do not attempt to reconnect this yourself.

In the event of a civil emergency, initiate your backup plan. For guidance, please refer to the civil defence information here.

Please note that in an emergency the operation of any naked flame indoors is not recommended.

* You can also read more information about Emergency response plan for medically dependent electricity consumers here, and Confirmation of Medically Dependent Consumer Status here.

Vulnerable Consumer

A vulnerable consumer is someone who, for reasons of age, health or disability, the disconnection of electricity presents a clear threat to that person, or a member of their household’s health or wellbeing and/or it is genuinely difficult for the customer to pay his or her electricity bills because of severe financial insecurity whether temporary or permanent.

If you consider you or a member of your household is a vulnerable consumer please call us on 0800 634 283 to discuss payment or supply options.

Alternative Contact

You might want to supply us with the details of an alternative contact. This might be someone like a family member, a friend or a social agency who has agreed to assist you to communicate with us or manage your payments. They will not be held financially responsible for your account. You can have more than one contact, but you must have their agreement that they are willing to talk to us and make decisions on your behalf.

Budgeting Advice and Social Agencies

You can always call us to discuss payment options on 0800 634 283. For further financial advice there are free budgeting services in almost every community in New Zealand. For details on your local service or for more information call 0800 345 123 weekdays 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm or visit www.moneytalks.co.nz or www.familybudgeting.org.nz. You may also want to contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009 or visit www.workandincome.govt.nz to find out if you are entitled to financial assistance.

Megatel’s payment options

We offer a range of ways to pay your Megatel account. please email us at creditcontrol@megatel.co.nz to discuss your payment options. 

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