Friday, November 28, 2008
Australian Government Drought Assistance
- The major changes involving Centrelink delivered drought assistance include:
- an increase to the off-farm income exemption from $10 000 to $20 000 when claiming Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment or Interim Income Support
- immediate access to the $5500 Professional Advice and Planning Grant (GST included) for farmers in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declared areas
- an extension of the eligibility requirements of small businesses access to EC assistance, to include small businesses located in towns that are substantially reliant on farm income, have a population of 10 000 or less, and are in an EC area (including prima facia and interim assistance areas)
- a grant of up to $20 000 to irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin to implement water management strategies in response to significantly reduced water allocations
- an exit grant of up to $150 000 for farmers who have decided to leave the land, and an increase in the assets limit to access this grant to $575 000 (maximum grant payable if assets below $350 000), and
- a further $10 000 is available for advice and re-training, and up to $10 000 for relocation expenses is also available to those who take up the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant.
# posted by L.Y.B. @ 7:25 PM 
