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Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment for farmers

Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) helps farming families living in areas affected by Exceptional Circumstances to meet everyday living expenses. You do not have to meet an activity test or sell your farm to receive ECRP for farmers.


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Eligibility

You may be eligible for Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) for farmers if you:

  • are a farmer, and
  • are not on Newstart Allowance or any other Centrelink benefit or pension, or service pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and
  • are an Australian resident and living in Australia, and
  • have an Exceptional Circumstances (EC) certificate stating that your farm is in an EC declared area.

Payment rates

Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) rates are usually the same as for Newstart Allowance. If you are partnered there is an additional amount that is the same as Partner Allowance.

Note: If you live in an area likely to become an EC declared area, you may be eligible for Interim Income Support for farmers payments for 6 months.

Pharmaceutical Allowance is not payable if you receive Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment.

Health Care Card

If you qualify for Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment, you automatically get a Health Care Card.

Taxation

Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment is taxable.

Payment adjustment and reviews

Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) is usually adjusted on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index—that is, in line with increases in the costs of living.

From time to time, your ECRP is reviewed.


Income and assets

The amount of Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) you get paid depends on your income and assets.

Both tests are the same as for Newstart Allowance although exceptions apply, for example:

  • up to $20,000 of your and your partner’s combined income earned from wages or salary off the farm can be disregarded annually according to a pro-rated formula
  • proceeds of forced livestock sales are not taken into account in the income test
  • you do not have to include essential farm assets (like farm machinery) in the assets test.

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Claiming

Exceptional Circumstances Certificate

You need to request an Exceptional Circumstances (EC) certificate by calling the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 2316. You should make this request as soon as possible to ensure you receive the maximum backdated payment that may be available to you.

Claim forms

You then complete a claim for Drought Assistance form and return it to us.

For claim forms, you can:

Documentation

Once you submit your claim you will need to provide proof of identity.

We will tell you if there are other documents and forms you need to provide. You will need to submit these within 14 days. The sooner we receive your documents, the sooner we can process your claim.

Claim outcome

We will send you a letter advising if your claim is successful. If you are eligible for Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) , the letter will also tell you when you payment starts and how much you will get paid. Even if you are not eligible for the payment, in some cases you may still receive an (EC) certificate.

If you disagree with a decision we make

You always have the right to appeal any decision made by Centrelink.

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