MORE than 100 Horsham Rural City residents use the council's financial hardship policy to assist with paying rates and charges.
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Assistance is only granted to individuals experiencing hardship with regard to the rates on their principal place of residence.
Corporate services director Graeme Harrison said the policy allowed people to pay when they could.
"The hardship policy allows people to come and talk to us, and pay their rates to adjust to their needs," he said.
"We currently have 105 assessments with alternative payment arrangements and that consists of 104 residential properties and one commercial.
"Centrepay is an alternative payment option that can also be used. It may not always be for financial hardship but often is. We have 73 assessments utilising this including 71 from the residential sector, one from the commercial and one from the farm sector."
Horsham Rural City Council reviewed the Rates and Charges Financial Hardship Policy at its March meeting on Monday night.
The motion summarised that council already provided ratepayers with the option for Centrepay deductions on a fortnightly basis, however the policy amendment now included this option for clarity.
It was carried all in favour.
Cr Josh Koenig said he was well aware of the need for a financial hardship policy through his work at Uniting Wimmera.
"I want to plead with the community that food is more important than rates and bills. The cost of living is higher than it ever had been," he said.
Cr Pam Clarke agreed with Cr Koenig.
"I know it's tough for people to ask for assistance. We need to support them the best we can so they can take pride in what they do," she said.
Cr David Grimble suggested a further amendment to the policy. He said he would like to see financial hardship reviews take place every six months, instead of every three months.
"I find it bureaucratic that people need to come in every three months and have to provide the council with a wide range of data each time. It seems unfair and unreasonable," he said.
Cr Alethea Gulvin suggested including the option of phone and online interviews, as well as face-to-face.
Cr John Robinson moved a motion to review the process of financial hardship reviews and the timeline that financial hardship reviews took place.
Mr Harrison said he would have seek advice from officers about the impacts of the suggested changes.
Cr Robinson's motion was carried all in favour.
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