Substantial changes have been made to the Farm Assist Means Test, which will benefit thousands of farmers. This was introduced yesterday, 14 June 2022, by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
The Minister has signed regulations that will introduce a new income disregard which will ensure farmers who avail of Agri-Environmental Schemes will not see their social welfare payments impacted.
As such, an income disregard will now be applied to the department’s Farm Assist, Jobseeker’s Allowance and State (Non-Contributory) Pensions. Introducing an income disregard under these schemes is intended to incentivize more farmers to participate in them.
Grants under these agricultural schemes benefit from the maximum disregard of €2,450, with the remaining balance assessed at 50%. As an example, a farmer who receives a grant of €2,000 would not see their social welfare payment impacted whatsoever.
Announcing the new measures, Minister Humphreys commented: “I am delighted today to extend the list of agri-environmental schemes that benefit from a social welfare disregard – providing additional certainty to our farming community. These measures will benefit thousands of farmers across the country with a maximum disregard of €2,450 being applied.”
“I also believe by expanding the list of Agri-Environment Schemes, more farmers will participate.
“I would encourage small farmers, particularly, to apply for these schemes in the knowledge that it will not have a negative effect on their social welfare payment.”
“As Minister for Rural Community Development, and being from Rural Ireland myself, I know all too well the critical role our farmers are already playing in Ireland’s response to climate action.”
“I hope this move will lead to an increase in the numbers taking up these schemes,” she concluded.