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Farmers urged to act quick for extra aid

DROUGHT-AFFECTED farmers who are yet to apply for Farm Household Allowance are being urged to act quickly to ensure they don't miss out on thousands of dollars.

DROUGHT-AFFECTED farmers who are yet to apply for Farm Household Allowance are being urged to act quickly to ensure they don't miss out on thousands of dollars in additional payments available under the scheme. Picture: Cathy Adams
DROUGHT-AFFECTED farmers who are yet to apply for Farm Household Allowance are being urged to act quickly to ensure they don't miss out on thousands of dollars in additional payments available under the scheme. Picture: Cathy Adams

DROUGHT-AFFECTED farmers who are yet to apply for Farm Household Allowance are being urged to act quickly to ensure they don't miss out on thousands of dollars in additional payments available under the scheme.

To be eligible for the first payment of up to $6000 for couples, or $3600 for singles, farmers must lodge their FHA application form by December 1.

Human Services and Digital Transformation Minister Michael Keenan said the payments are additional to the regular fortnightly benefits farmers receive under the FHA scheme and the money is available as a lump sum.

"This is extra money that was made available to help farmers keep their heads above water during what we recognise are extremely difficult times,” Mr Keenan said.

"We don't want anyone to miss out, which is why we urging farmers who haven't yet applied for FHA to do so before the December 1 deadline.”

More than $12.7 million has already been distributed through the first round of supplementary payments and those who miss the deadline will still be eligible for the second payment to be distributed in March next year.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud urged farmers to apply.

"Your local Rural Financial Counsellor will help you fill out the application form for free,” he said. "They're the angels of this drought.

"We are also investing an extra $5 million into the free Rural Financial Counselling Service to help farmers apply for FHA, and the form has been shortened and simplified.”

For more info and how to apply visit humanservices.

gov.au/farmhousehold

allowance.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/chinchilla/farmers-urged-to-act-quick-for-extra-aid/news-story/2521d4b94a2da97523277c31afad2f4a