FARMERS are being urged not to be put off by the stringent conditions and the paperwork involved with accessing financial assistance.
Drought aid was the focus of a meeting held at the Elders office in Murray Bridge on Tuesday night.
Meeting organiser Richard Reedy said the most important message he wanted to get across to farmers was the importance of getting registered for assistance, because even if they did not meet the present criteria, lobbying was under way for a change in conditions.
“We all know paperwork is not a favourite activity for farmers, but it’s all about momentum,” he said.
“There’s pressure coming from a range of areas, including the National Farmers’ Federation, for change to make aid more accessible. We’re looking to political leaders to assist farmers on a practical level.”
Rural Business Support financial counsellor Lloyd Wright said the Farm Household Allowance was available to farmers in a low profitability situation.
“The FHA isn’t only available now because of drought, it’s been available for the last four years,” he said.
“It’s available to any farmer in a low profit situation – it could be for health reasons or succession reasons.”
While the FHA could be worth up to $500 a fortnight per member of a household couple, it was not available for farm employees.
Mr Wright said putting in an application for FHA before December 1 was important, as after that time farmers would not be able to access the lump sum payments of up to $12,000 announced by then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in August. Farmers did not need to be receiving FHA by that time, but they did need to have an application lodged.
One of the eight Family and Business Support mentors in SA, John Chase, who is based in the Riverland, said it was good for farmers to talk to someone outside the family business.
“If you know someone who is struggling, urge them to contact us,” he said.
“It’s an important time to keep an eye out for your neighbours.”
Another meeting will be held this evening at Platinum Ag in Murray Bridge from 5pm to 7pm and tomorrow night at Landmark’s Murray Bridge office, running from 5pm to 7pm.
