How to claim

Steps to claim FHA

1. 

    

   1. Get ready to claim

   The easiest way to claim is online.

   To claim online, you need a myGov account linked to Centrelink. If you don’t have a myGov account or a Centrelink online account you’ll need to set them up.

   You may need to confirm your identity with us before you start your claim.

   If you want to claim with your partner

   If you and your partner are both claiming FHA, you may be able to submit a combined claim online. To use the combined claim option, you both need all of these before starting your claim:

   • your own myGov accounts linked to your own Centrelink online accounts
   • to subscribe to electronic messaging
   • to check we’ve linked you as a couple with us before starting your claim
   • to record that your partner can deal with us on your behalf
   • at least one bank account recorded in joint names.

   If you or your partner have a nominee, they can’t do your combined claim online.

   If you can’t claim online

   If you can’t claim online, you can print and complete the Claim for Farm Household Allowance form.

   If you need help, you can either:

   • call us on the Farmer Assistance Hotline
   • go to a service centre.
2. 

    

   2. Get your documents ready to claim

   You’ll need to get supporting documents ready to help answer some of the questions in the claim.

3. 

    

   3. Make your claim

   Online

   1. Sign in to myGov and select Centrelink.
   2. Select MENU from your homepage.
   3. Select Payment and Claims, followed by Claims, and Make a claim.
   4. Select Get started in the Other payments category.
   5. Answer all the questions. There’s help on each page including how to submit supporting documents and any other forms you need to complete.
   6. 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, 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 claim.

   7. Submit your claim.

   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.

   When you're ready:

   Sign in to myGov

   By form

   Submit your form and supporting documents within 14 days.

   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 to submit your claim you can contact a Rural Financial Counsellor on 1800 686 175. Read more about the Rural Financial Counselling Service on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.

4. 

    

   4. 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 your claim will be complete
   • a link to track its progress.

   You can track the progress of your claim online. Sign in to myGov and select Centrelink, or 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

   • myGov Inbox
   • Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.

   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.

Next: How to work with your case officer

A Farm Household Case Officer will contact you when you start to get Farm Household Allowance. They’ll guide and support you while you’re on this payment.