Pro-active stance on Rates Rebates scheme

Aged Concern and senior citizens groups have come in behind a Far North District Council campaign to bring the government-sponsored Rates Rebate scheme to better public attention.


Specialist rates staff will set up advice booths and make information available on the rebate scheme at Aged Concern and Senior Net meetings scheduled for Kaikohe, Kaitaia and Kerikeri over the next two months.


Revenue and Policy Manager Chris Ellington said today recent publicity on the rebate scheme had resulted in close to 100 inquiries over the last 10 days.


"It's likely there are still many more in the community who could qualify for assistance. To bring the message to attention we will be targeting routine meetings of senior citizens' organisations.


"However the scheme is available to all people on limited incomes and is not just about pensioners. Anybody with an income of under $21,910 could qualify for a rebate of up to $550 and there may still be partial rebates available for incomes as high as $29,000," he said.


Council rates staff would be in attendance at a Senior Net meeting at the Senior Citizens Hall in Tawanui Street, Kaikohe, from 9a.m. to midday on Wednesday 03 March, at an Aged Concern meeting at Kingston House, Kerikeri from 9 a.m. to midday on Wednesday 07 April and at an Aged Concern meeting at the Union Parish Hall, Kaitaia, on Thursday 08 April again from 9 a.m. to midday.


"We are also looking to set up further meetings at both Kaikohe and Kerikeri for which dates and venues are still to be confirmed.


"Staff will be available at all meetings to explain the rebate scheme, to check whether people qualify and to process Rates Rebate applications. Alternately a telephone call to the council will establish whether or not it is worthwhile lodging a formal application," he said.


This year to date a total of 1687 applications had been approved and close to $900,000 paid out in rebates. However the numbers were still down on last year.


"In difficult economic times we had anticipated the numbers would be much higher. This probably means there are still many who are either unaware that assistance is available or are reluctant to come forward.


"By taking the message into the community through senior citizens' groups we may be able to reach more people," he said.