Steps to claim FHA
1. Get ready to claim
The easiest way to claim is online.
To claim online, you need a Centrelink online account linked to myGov. If you don’t have a myGov account or a Centrelink online account you’ll need to create them.
You may need to confirm your identity with us before you start your claim.
If you want to claim with your partner
There is an online combined partner claim option. To use this option, all the following must apply before starting your claim. You and your partner:
- have your own myGov accounts linked to your own Centrelink online accounts
- are subscribed to electronic messaging
- are linked as a couple with us before starting your claim
- have at least one bank account recorded in joint names
- have your relationship status recorded with us
- are not already getting an income support payment or have a draft claim for FHA
- can provide us with accurate information regarding both of your circumstances to support your claim.
If you or your partner have a nominee, they can’t do your combined claim online.
If you are in crisis, you may be able to get a different income support payment. Contact us on the farmer assistance hotline.
You’ll need to get all supporting documents ready to help answer some of the questions in the claim.
If you are unsure if you and your partner meet the criteria above, please contact us on the farmer assistance hotline.
2. Make your claim
If you can claim online
If your Centrelink account is linked to myGov you can claim online.
Make sure you submit the claim within 13 weeks from when you started it. If you don’t, it’ll expire and you’ll need to start again.
Based on your answers, we may ask if you also want to claim Farm Household Allowance for your partner. If you choose a combined claim, and your partner meets the criteria listed above, the partner claim will be available at the end of your claim. Your partner will get an SMS or email from us to let them know. We’ll advise them to
- sign in to myGov and select Centrelink
- select the task on their homepage
- answer questions.
They’ll have 3 days to do this before the task disappears. If this happens, they’ll need to start again and submit their own individual FHA claim. You’ll need to submit the claim within 14 days to make sure payment starts on the same date for both people.
You’ll need to upload all your supporting documents before you submit your claim.
If you can’t claim online
Call the farmer assistance hotline and talk to us about your options to claim Farm Household Allowance (FHA).
If you can’t claim online, you can print, complete and lodge the Claim for Farm Household Allowance form.
You can ask someone to act for you. Your nominee can submit an individual FHA paper claim on your behalf.
You need to complete your claim in full before you can get a payment. We need all supporting documents before we can start to process your claim. You can submit them using any of the following options:
- by uploading them online
by posting them to:
Services Australia
Rural and Climate Change Services
Reply Paid 7816
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610- in person, at a service centre.
If you need help, you can either:
- call the farmer assistance hotline
- visit a service centre, agent or access point
- contact a Rural Financial Counsellor.
Read more about the Rural Financial Counselling Service on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
3. Track your claim
After you submit your claim online, you’ll get a receipt telling you:
- we got your claim
- the ID number of your claim
- the date we estimate we’ll make a decision about your claim for FHA
- a link to track its progress.
To track the progress of your application online, sign in to myGov and select Make a claim or view claim status.
You can also use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
We’ll let you know the result of your claim. We’ll send a letter to either your:
If you don’t get electronic letters, we’ll send you a letter in the mail.
If we need more details, we’ll ask you for them.
If you think we’ve made a mistake, you can ask us to review our decision.