Primary producers impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires will benefit from expanded eligibility for the $75,000 Special Disaster Recovery Grant and timeframe changes with small businesses also given more time to request support.
There will be some key eligibility criteria changes for the $75,000 recovery grant and include:
• Removal of the off-farm income threshold where an applicant’s income from primary production is less than 50 per cent of their total income.
• Allowing extra time for applicants to reach the 50 per cent income threshold in recognition of long lead times required by some sectors to reach full production.
• Applicants are no longer required to be registered for GST but must still hold an ABN.
• Businesses earning more than 50 per cent of their income from a combination of primary production and goods made directly from that produce will now be eligible for assistance.
Special disaster loan – bushfire:
• Bushfire working capital loan –
o $50,000 for essential expenses e.g. wages, rent, goods or services, fodder for livestock or transporting produce.
o Available to primary producers, small businesses and not for profits that were directly impacted by the fire.
• Bushfire Recovery loan –
o $500,000 for larger investments e.g. replacing or repairing damaged infrastructure.
o Available to primary producers, small businesses and not for profits that were directly impacted by the fire.
Applications for small business assistance in the form of $10,000 and $50,000 grants and concessional loans of up to $500,000 can now also be made up to 15 December 2020.
If you need support to apply for a grant or a loan please contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service, Louise Fletcher M:
