Have you applied for your 2023/24 rate rebate?

Council is urging lower income ratepayers to check if they qualify for a rate rebate if they haven't done so before applications close on 30 June.

Mayor Weston Kirton said that with the rate rebate being worth up to $750 it provides important financial support for many people and is well worth applying for.

“We are wanting to ensure that everyone who qualifies for a rate rebate receives it,” he said.

“Checking whether you qualify and the value of your rebate if you do is easy.

All people need do is drop-by or call their local Council office where the Customer Services staff can discuss your eligibility with you.”

Mayor Kirton said that the number of people applying for a rate rebate varies from year to year which was interesting and may indicate that there are people who could benefit who are missing out.

"It is important to note that because personal circumstances change you need to apply for the rate rebate every year even if you have previously been successful in gaining one," he said.

"In the last 2022/23 rating year Council helped return $370,000 to 571 rebate ratepayers. That is a lot of money that got returned to Ruapehu communities.

So far for the current 2023/24 rating year we have received 457 applications worth almost $318,000 suggesting there are ratepayers who could benefit who have not yet applied.

As the value of any rebate is determined by a formula that considers household income, number of dependents and the level of rates being paid we would encourage any lower income ratepayers who have not applied this rating year to check whether they qualify.

We are hopeful that we can exceed last year’s total and see even more Ruapehu whanau benefit from the scheme," he said.

More info: https://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/our-services/rates/r...

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