The Federal Government has announced a review of the Farm Household Allowance (FHA), which provides help for farmers facing hardship, particularly during drought.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Department of Agriculture had estimated there may be 19,000 farmers eligible for FHA across Australia who had not applied for it.
“We need to know why farmers who can benefit from this support are not accessing it,” Mr Chester said.
Mr Chester again reminded farmers not to self-assess, encouraging those experiencing difficult times to use the free help provided by Rural Financial Counsellors.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the FHA was introduced by the Coalition in 2014 to help put food on the table for thousands of farmers facing drought.
Minister Littleproud recently announced farmers could now receive a fourth year of assistance from the FHA. Previously, they could receive three years of assistance.
“The Farm Household Allowance has helped almost 8000 of Australia’s approximately 80,000 farmers over the past four years as we’ve invested $230 million,” Minister Littleproud said.
“More than 80 per cent of farmers surveyed have said they’re happy with the structure of it and the assistance it provides. The current net asset threshold cut-off has been lifted to $2.6 million and farmers who are receiving less than $52,000 a year in income can apply for a hardship exemption regardless.”
Mr Littleproud said government couldn’t make it rain, “but we can and do provide free expert advice through Rural Financial Counsellors and I urge farmers to use it.”
“Drought policy should be based on resilience and preparedness and with other agriculture bodies, we’ve agreed to pursue the NFF’s drought strategy, which we’ll work on over coming months,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Regarding mental health, I remind rural people they can now receive Medicare support for counselling done through Skype, after the first face-to-face appointment which is necessary to build a relationship with the counsellor.”
Farmers wishing to know more about FHA eligibility should see their local Rural Financial Counsellor or call the Department of Human Services Farmer Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.
