Farmers not not applying for drought aid because process is ‘too hard’

Alan Brown, president of the Wagga branch of NSW Farmers, said the feedback filtering back to him was that many people were not sure if they qualified for assistance –  particularly in the Riverina where conditions were marginal – and if they actually did met criteria, were finding the application process simply too hard.

“The feedback I’ve had from people who have had to try to apply is that it they are all seeing rural financial counsellors or getting other professional help,” Mr Brown said.

“I understand that when you are applying for government money, there needs to be a high standard, but some parts of this application process are something else.

“They’ve got to make sure people who are asking for money A) need it and B) deserve it, but it appears to me to be over the top.”

Farmers argue that the government already the information needed to check people’s eligibility for support such as the Farm Household Allowance, with details like the National Livestock Identification System database and Australian Taxation Office records showing who is already a registered primary producer and their GST status.

NSW Farmers’ Martin Honner, who farms between Junee and Cootamundra, said he was hearing from growers that the process was taking too long.

“Rural counsellors are run off their feet. They are just being inundated with work,” Mr Honner said.

“There is a lot more work than just a flippant line from a politician.

"I’ve heard from people who are not even putting in their applications because it is too hard.

"Accountants have already got enough to do.”

Minister for Human Services Michael Keenan said although applications for FHA have more than doubled compared to last financial year, there were still many farmers who were yet to access the support available to them.

“In 2017-18 we received around 1250 applications for FHA – that has increased to 3000 applications already this financial year,” Mr Keenan said.

However, Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has said the government had already simplified the application process for the Farm Household Allowance.

“The application form has been cut by a third and critical eligibility criteria is at the front so farmers can identify if they are eligible much quicker,” Mr Littleproud said.

“No one should be too proud to apply.

“Farmers should also remember that a rural financial counsellor can help them fill out the form for free. The RFCS currently has around 4000 active clients, up from the usual 3000.

“The government is providing an extra $5 million to the RFCS to help meet the extra demand.”