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Rates rebates totalling over $657,000 have been approved for 1497 Wairarapa households.
The local figures were announced today by Labour Government MP Georgina Beyer, who says the recently expanded rates rebates scheme is enjoying an outstanding response.
"In Wairarapa, $657,707 has already been approved in Rates Rebate payments; that's an average of around $439 per household," said Ms Beyer.
Local Government Minister Mark Burton recently announced that Rates Rebates totalling almost $27 million have been approved for just under 60,000 households around the country.
Ms Beyer says the message is now out in communities across Wairarapa. She's encouraging everyone who thinks they might qualify to check with their local council as soon as they get their first rates notice.
The Labour-led Government has allocated more than 70 times the level of funding to the rates rebates scheme than was previously allocated. Under the expanded scheme many more New Zealanders - particularly those on low and fixed incomes, such as the elderly - 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
Ms Beyer says people receiving Disability and Child Disability Allowances, Orphan's and Unsupported Child's Benefit, and Home Schooling Allowance should also double-check the amount of their Rebate because their allowance is now more fairly counted as a reimbursement rather than an income.
"If you've been declined because these benefits were included, you should apply again. The Internal Affairs Department will also review applications already processed and advise councils if they need to grant additional rebates."
Application forms are available from local councils and the rates rebate website www.ratesrebates.govt.nz contains a calculator to help people check their eligibility.
Local figures relate to areas covered by Tararua, Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa councils.
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