Drought relief: CWA offers grants to help pay household bills

Orange branch president Elizabeth Lynch said household expenses were often rated lower than farm-running costs by farmers which created stress and other concerns.

“Farmers, from our experience, tend to look at the big picture items, like stock, water and trees, rather than concentrating on the household bills which are piling up in the background,” she said.

Mrs Lynch said farmers often reduced costs by cutting out important activities.

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That included not going to the doctor and dentist because of the cost and cutting out their children’s activities.

“They won’t do cricket this year, the dance lessons have to go,” she said.

She said contractors and businesses that lost income due to the drought could also apply for the grants to pay household bills.

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Mrs Lynch said that since the scheme started on July 3 they had paid out $315,000 to 209 applications across NSW.

However, she said many people who needed help were unaware of the scheme.

To be eligible applicants need to show they lived in a drought-affected area and they relied on farming or farm-related activities for their income and show how the drought has affected their income.

Apply online here or email drought@cwaofnsw.org.au or call 02 8337 0210.

Donations to the drought relief fund are also welcome.