DROUGHT COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME – DROUGHT COMMUNITY SUPPORT INITIATIVE – ROUND 2
Funding for farming communities affected by drought
Last Updated: 21 February 2020
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Drought Communities Programme – Drought Community Support Initiative – Round 2
The grant opportunity to engage The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society to provide financial help for farmers, farm workers and suppliers/contractors facing hardship due to drought has closed. These two charities have received funding under this grant opportunity to support drought-affected households in eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs). If you are looking to apply for immediate financial support of up to $3000, the funding is available through The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society. Only one DCSI (Round 2) payment is allowed per household from one of the delivery organisations.
On 20 February 2020, the Australian Government announced further funding of $82.75 million for the Drought Community Support Initiative to continue crucial support for farming households battling the continuing drought. This announcement takes the Government’s commitment of providing the DCSI to drought-affected farming households to over $180 million since 2018.
The Australian Government committed $33 million in much-needed support to drought-affected families through Round 1 of the DCSI, providing up to $3,000 in assistance to households. Round 1 operated between 17 December 2018 to 30 June 2019.
You can find a list of the eligible LGAs on the Drought Communities Programme - Extension (DCP) page.Drought Communities Support Initiative is currently closed to applications from further charities. If you are looking to apply for immediate financial support of up to $3000, the funding is available through The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society.
What do you get?
Immediate financial support of up to $3000 per eligible household.
Who is this for?
Individuals 18 years old or older, who are farmers, farm workers or farm suppliers/contractors:
- facing hardships as a result of drought
- living or working in an eligible local government area
The financial assistance is provided through selected charity organisations.
Overview
The Drought Community Support Initiative provides immediate assistance to farmers, farm workers and farm suppliers/contractors who are facing hardship arising from the impact of drought in eligible Local Government Areas.
The intended outcomes of the Drought Community Support Initiative are to:
- help with immediate assistance for farmers, farm workers and farm suppliers/contractors
- improve levels of economic activity in regions and support local communities
Selected charity organisations will provide immediate financial support of up to $3000 cash to eligible recipients.
Eligibility criteria
The two funded charities met the following eligibility criteria:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- were invited to apply
- are one of the following charity organisations
- St Vincent de Paul Society
- The Salvation Army
Other charities may be invited to apply at the discretion of the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, natural Disaster and Emergency Management.
The eligible projects must:
- include eligible activities and eligible expenditure
- establish eligibility criteria for the provision of financial assistance to eligible recipients
- keep a record of provided assistance and submit aggregated data reports to the department
- be completed by 30 June 2020
To be eligible to receive a cash payment the recipient must be:
- 18 years old or older
- a farmer, farm worker or farm supplier/contractor who:
- lives and/or works in an eligible Local Government Area specified by the Minister responsible for Drought and listed on business.gov.au and GrantConnect
- is in need of financial assistance to pay for food, petrol, utility bills or another need, or is at imminent risk of not being able to pay for them
The benefit may be provided to eligible recipients who have had previous financial assistance from:
- the Drought Community Support Initiative
- drought relief funding provided by the Australian Government to the Country Women’s Association of Australia
The benefit is limited to 1 per household up to a maximum cash payment of $3000.
For more information on eligibility you should read the grant opportunity guidelines.
Eligible local government areas
You can find a list of the eligible LGAs on the Drought Communities Programme - Extension (DCP) page.
The Eligible Local Government Areas were selected based on the level of need, determined using:
- rainfall deficiency data from the Bureau of Meteorology
- population and industry data (reliance on agriculture)
The Government will continue to closely monitor conditions across the country as the drought continues, and in consultation with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, may consider expanding the program to reach more Local Government Areas.
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