Council's Customer Services staff are heading to Methven and Rakaia next month to make it easier for people to see them about rates rebates.

Many low income households in the district are eligible for increased support to pay their council rates, especially with changes to the rates rebate scheme that took effect in July.

Council staff will be going to Methven on Wednesday 5 October and will be at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall from 10am until 12 noon. They will head to Rakaia a week later on Wednesday 12 October and will be based at the Rakaia Library from 10am until 12 noon.

Residents can call the Customer Services team on 307 7700 to book at appointment at Methven or Rakaia.

Business Support Group Manager Leanne Macdonald said the maximum annual rebate had increased recently from $665 to $700 and the abatement threshold had increased from $26,510 to $28,080 income for the year to March 2022.

“That means more people in our district may be eligible and we’d love to hear from them. People can come into the main council office in Ashburton at any time and apply for a rebate, and these days in Methven and Rakaia are about making it easier to connect with our more rural residents.”

The Rates Rebate Scheme is run by Government and provides a partial refund to ease rates bills for people on lower incomes. It provides financial relief for those who own their own home and live in that home. It includes people living in retirement villages, but does not apply to rental or holiday homes or commercial premises.

It is estimated refunds nationally for 2022-23 financial year will be worth up to $56 million.

Some 764 people in the Ashburton District received a rates rebate for the 2021-22 financial year.

“This is often a relief to those needing help to meet their rates demand,” Mrs Macdonald said.

“Some people might qualify for the full rebate or for a lesser amount. If you’re not sure, then you should call our Customer Services team on 03 307 7700 or drop in to the Council office and find out.”

People have to apply annually for the rebate and those who want to apply for a rebate in this new financial year can do so any time until 30 June 2023.

As part of the rebate application process, people need to prove their income level with a summary of earnings from the IRD. It must relate to the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

You must be:

* The person who pays the rates on the property that’s your home

* Living in your home

* Listed as the ratepayer in Council’s rating information database

You cannot apply if:

* Your property is mainly used for commercial activities, such as farming or business

* Your property is a rental property or holiday home

Most retirement village residents, including people who live under a licence to occupy agreement, can apply for a rates rebate.

See our rates page for more information.