Payment - rural assistance

The following non-recoverable Special Needs Grants can be paid:

• 100% of the applicable weekly Jobseeker Support rate

Note an income exemption of $160.00 gross per week applies. Income in excess of $160.00 gross reduces the weekly amount payable by $1.00 for each $1.00 of income. For more information see: Income assessment - rural assistance

Payments are not restricted to one payment for the same or similar purpose, but payments cannot be made for longer than:

• one year in total or
• the period approved by the Minister

whichever is the lesser.

Payments can only be made for the period approved by the Minister.

Applications should generally be granted from the Monday of the week of application. If the period approved by the Minister begins on a day other than Monday, applications in that week should be granted from the start of the period approved.

Payments should generally be made in a lump sum representing a 4-week period commencing from the Monday of the week of application.

The client will need to reapply every 4 weeks if they need ongoing assistance by completing a Continuation of the Rural Assistance Payment Application form, (and an up-to-date financial statement once every 3 months).

Note that payments may need to be made on a weekly basis if the client indicates their off farm income is likely to vary. In these cases the client can phone in their income each week to enable the rate of payment to be assessed and paid into their bank account. The client will still need to reapply every 4 weeks, and provide an up-to-date Recovery Facilitator authorisation every 3 months.

A debt should be established if the client does not notify a change in income and the payment has been made in advance.