|
Rates rebates totalling some $396,000 have been approved for 896 households in Wairarapa.
The local figures were announced today by Labour Government MP Georgina Beyer, who says the newly expanded Rates Rebates Scheme is enjoying an outstanding early response with local families giving the new scheme a resounding thumbs up.
"It's very early days yet, but in Wairarapa, $396,586 has already been approved in Rates Rebate payments; that's an average of around $443 per household," said Ms Beyer.
"Nationally, the scheme last week passed the $10 million mark, which is a major milestone. In just the 10 weeks since the scheme came into effect we've already seen seven times more successful applications and a 19-fold increase in the total value of approved rebates compared with the whole of 2005/06."
Under the expanded scheme many more New Zealanders - particularly those on low and fixed incomes - are eligible for a subsidy to help pay their rates bill. The key features of the scheme are:
- maximum rebate: $500 - up from $200 before 1 July;
- income threshold for maximum rebate: $20,000 in most cases - up from $7400. (Some people earning more may be able to get a rebate - for example, a married couple on NZ Super of $24,456 facing a $1746 or higher annual rates bill would still be entitled to the maximum rates rebate of $500);
- dependent person additional income allowance: $500 - up from $156
The Labour-led Government has allocated more than 52 times the level of funding to the Rates Rebates Scheme than was previously allocated in rebates, and across the country, over 41,000 applications for rates rebates have been received.
"I'm reminding anyone who has received their first rates notice to check with their local council about applying for a rebate," said Ms Beyer.
Application forms are available from local councils and on the rates rebate website, which contains a calculator to help check eligibility.
Eds: Local data relates to areas covered by the Tararua, Masterton, and South Wairarapa district councils (no figures yet for Carterton District).
|
|
|
