Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment for Farmers
What is the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment?Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP) provides assistance to farmers living in areas affected by Exceptional Circumstances who are having difficulty meeting family and personal living expenses. Who can get Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment?You may get Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment if you:
Please note: For Interim Income Support your farm must be located in an area that is being considered for EC. [ return to top ] How much Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment can I get?ECRP is a taxable payment paid fortnightly at a rate equivalent to Newstart Allowance and, where applicable, Partner Allowance. People eligible for ECRP also receive a Health Care Card. Payment is subject to the same income and asset tests applied to Newstart Allowance. However, from 1 July 2005 until 24 September 2007 an amount of up to $10 000 could have been disregarded from off-farm salary and wages each financial year. From 25 September 2007 until June 2009, this figure has been increased to $20 000 maximum offset per financial year. Farming assets, including the farmer's superannuation and life insurance, are also exempt from the assets test. Proceeds from the forced disposal of livestock due to drought are excluded from the income test. In this case, farmers will be required to deposit the proceeds from the forced sale in either a Farm Management Deposit or a deposit with a term of at least three months with a bank, building society, credit union or other institution that receives money on deposit. The payment continues to be made for the period announced in the EC declaration. If you are currently receiving other forms of income support you can also apply for ECRP if your farm is in an EC declared area. However, a person cannot receive ECRP and any other income support payments at the same time. [ return to top ] How do I apply for Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment?You need to request an EC certificate from Centrelink 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. You can then complete the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment claim forms and return them to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. [ return to top ] How do I get the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment Claim Forms?
Claim Forms
Once completed, the form should be sent to or lodged at the nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. [ return to top ] How do I find out more?[ return to top ] Did you find what you were looking for? You can also try the A-Z list, quick links, search, site help or send us feedback on how to make this a better website. |