Drought 2010
22 April 2010
Assistance for farmers affected by the drought.
This assistance is for farmers in Northland, parts of Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, South Taranaki, South Canterbury and Otago.
The Government has approved a range of support measures for farmers, following a decision to declare a medium level drought under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s adverse events framework.
Currently, the main assistance measures available are:
- Tax assistance under the Income Equalisation Scheme. This is automatic, and allows farmers to transfer the proceeds of the sale of capital stock across their balance date without attracting tax.
- Management Advice – funding from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for field days, publications, etc for farmers giving advice on management options.
- Funding Rural Support Trusts to provide facilitation/counselling to affected farmers, and to work with farmers requiring welfare support.
- Rural Assistance Payments to assist farming families with essential living costs.
- Standard menu of financial assistance via the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Work and Income.
What standard assistance may be available?
If you qualify for assistance, we can provide a range of standard financial assistance which may include:
On-going financial assistance to those with little or no income. Where a person does not meet all criteria for a main benefit, entitlement may be considered under hardship for an Emergency Benefit.
Non-taxable, one-off recoverable or non-recoverable financial assistance to people to meet immediate and essential needs. A person does not have to be receiving a benefit to qualify for a Special Needs Grant. This assistance is income and asset tested.
Recoverable Assistance Payments
Non-taxable, interest free, financial assistance to non-beneficiaries to meet essential immediate needs for specific items or services. This assistance will need to be paid back. The person must be able to identify a particular immediate need for an essential item or service. This assistance is income and asset tested.
Rural Assistance Payments
The Rural Assistance Payment scheme has been activated in various Districts within New Zealand. Talk to your local Rural Support Trust representative for more information.
