Are you entitled to the Farm Assist Allowance?

Many farmers are currently struggling to maintain their lifestyle. Many small farmers were up until recently supplementing their incomes by holding down a second job in the construction industry. With this gone, many of them may not be aware that they may now be entitled to a form of social welfare aimed at farmers.

Farm Assist is a means-tested income support scheme for farmers in Ireland. It is similar to Jobseeker's

Allowance, but has a more generous means test. In addition, you do not need to be available for work in order to qualify for Farm Assist.

When you apply for Farm Assist, a social welfare officer will call to see you and ask to see various documents. For example, accounts prepared for tax purposes, creamery returns, cattle registration cards, details of headage payments, area aid, etc. They will also want information on the sale of crops, cattle, milk and other produce. The officer will then assess the costs actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the running of the farm. These costs may include rent, annuities, the cost of inputs like feed and fertiliser and the depreciation of farm machinery. Labour costs are taken into account, with the exception of the labour of the farmer and spouse. The farmer is entitled to receive a copy of the farm income calculation.

Your income from a job is assessed. Your assessable weekly earnings (gross income less PRSI, union dues and superannuation fees) are assessed usually on the basis of the 13 weeks before you claim. Not all of your income is taken into account. €20 per day (up to a maximum of €60) from casual work will be
deducted from your assessable weekly earnings and then 60% of the balance will be assessed as weekly means. Your spouses income will also be taken into account.

Irish Farmers are often forgotten, but they too are fighting poverty in post Tiger Ireland.

Income from capital includes property, savings and investments. If you own property that you are not personally using or you have investments or any other form of capital, the value is assessed, using a special
formula. You may or may not be getting an income from the property or investment.

The value of capital is assessed as follows:

The first €20,000 of the capital is disregarded

€20,000 to €30,000 is assessed at €1 for every €1,000

Next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per €1,000

Excess of €40,000 is assessed at €4 per €1,000

Your total means from all sources are added together. A Department of Social Protection deciding officer will then decide how much, if any, Farm Assist you will get. You can appeal a decision if you are unhappy with it. You should appeal with 21 days of the decision and you can ask for an oral hearing. An Appeals Officer, whose decision is final, will then hear your case. If new information comes to light or your circumstances change, you can apply for Farm Assist again.

Further questions in connection with Farm Assist should be addressed to your local social welfare office. If you feel you need help in applying for Farm Assist or any other benefit due to you, contact Cllr. Anthony Kelly on 087-1361785.