Surge in farmers applying for state benefits

A major farming charity is reporting a surge in the number of growers and livestock producers applying for state benefits.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution said it had helped people from the farming sector claim record levels of state benefits in 2017.

The charity’s welfare team helped people claim £472,809 in state benefits last year – a 65% increase on the previous year’s figure of £286,691.

See also: Where farmers in need can find charity help

This rise comes in the face of widespread cutbacks to many benefits, it added.

“A lot of time and effort is going into providing information for people who contact us,” said Rabi head of welfare Trish Pickford.

“This includes such things as signposting people to other charities, as well as giving advice on claiming benefits and local authority funding procedures.”

Financial support

Rabi has been offering financial support to people in farming since 1860 – but its work is becoming more time-consuming and more complex.

Ms Pickford said: “People are falling through the net, being left with less money – or none at all – when benefits are stopped.”

She added: “Many also face the spectre of eviction and homelessness, while debt continues to be a big problem too.”

The benefit claim payments are in addition to grants made to farmers and farming families from Rabi’s own funds.

In 2017, the charity paid £1,990,262 in grants to 1,260 individuals and families – including grants of £297,416 to working people and their dependants.

Domestic bills

This included £58,000 towards home-help costs, £216,000 towards care home top-up fees, £197,000 for clearing domestic bills and £146,000 on disability equipment and home adaptations.

Ms Pickford said Rabi welfare staff continued to take a variety of training courses, mainly in connection with Universal Credit – which is still being rolled out.

They were also trained to help with appeals on behalf of people turned down for employment and support allowance and personal independence payments.

This month, the charity took on an additional regional officer – bringing to 14 the number of Rabi welfare officers covering England and Wales.

Farming families

Rabi chief executive Paul Burrows said: “Providing financial support for farming families is at the heart of what we do, but there’s a lot more to it than simply sending out cheques in the post.

“Our welfare officers understand farming and its issues. They take the time to visit people, build relationships and talk through problems and possible solutions.

“Many people contact us when they have nowhere else to turn. We work with them to give them renewed hope and tailor our support to suit their needs.”