Farmers in the Goulburn and Crookwell districts are set to benefit from a $210,000 Federal funding boost for the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW – Southern Region.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the funding – which will support additional staff - was part of a more than $1.6 million increase across seven RFCS providers.

“RFCS NSW – Southern Region providers such as the Crookwell and Yass-Gundagai service give local farmers free access to professionals to work through their financial situation and build financial self-sufficiency,” Mr Taylor said.

“This funding is part of an important boost across Rural Financial Counselling Service regions experiencing significant demand.

“It will help ensure farmers in financial hardship can make business decisions and undertake business planning and farm debt mediation to improve their circumstances.”

The service will also help support farmers who leave the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) program. FHA is a successful program that has helped 7360 farmers since July 2014.

RFCS can provide valuable assistance for farmers who leave FHA and want to continue to improve their circumstances.

Ian McGufficke, Executive Officer, RFCS NSW - Southern Region, said the local Counsellor for the Crookwell/Goulburn area currently provided assistance to 56 farmers in need.

The majority of these clients will have had assistance with income support (FHA or a previous program) over the period of their service with RFCS NSW – Southern Region.

“The additional funding will support additional staffing to support farmers who will no longer receive FHA as they have spent the maximum period of time within the income support program, that is three years,” Mr McGufficke said.

“These farmers will now have to make important decisions to ensure that they have a directed and positive future and all Rural Financial Counsellors will work with these clients to ensure that they attain positive life outcomes for their families.”

Mr Taylor said the Government recognised that tough times can put severe pressure on farmers trying to manage both farm and household budgets.

“More than $1 billion in rural assistance has been made available since September 2013,” he said.

“It’s critical the government gets our assistance measures right so that we’re delivering targeted support where it’s needed most.”

For more information on the RFCS visit agriculture.gov.au/rfcs or call 1800 686 175.

For more information on government farmer assistance measures, visit http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/assistance