Farmers are complaining that they are still "falling through the cracks" of state and Federal Government assistance after the recent bushfires.

Key points: Farmers with off-farm income are finding they are not eligible to access state and Federal Government bushfire grants

Farmers with off-farm income are finding they are not eligible to access state and Federal Government bushfire grants The NSW Deputy Premier attended a community meeting and vowed to change the criteria for assistance

The NSW Deputy Premier attended a community meeting and vowed to change the criteria for assistance The NSW DPI is also considering options to extend the eligibility criteria to include smaller farm businesses

John Field, a cattle farmer on a property at Brogo on the south coast of New South Wales, was burnt out on New Year's Eve.

But he does not qualify for Federal Government grants of $75,000 because he is a self-funded retiree.

At 70, the former researcher retired to run cattle on a 200-hectare block in the Bega Valley, but he was injured defending his farm from fire.

"About three quarters of the farm is burnt out … and I got crushed between two vehicles, broken pelvis, broken ribs," Mr Field said.

He drove himself through the fires to hospital.

While he was recovering he applied for assistance online, only to find he did not meet the criteria.

"They started with 'what's your off-farm income?' And basically there was no way I would be eligible because I have some superannuation, a nest egg, [so] I don't get anything," Mr Field said.

Three quarters of John Field's farm was burnt out but he doesn't qualify for a government assistance. ( Supplied )

It is a bitter blow to man who considers himself well-educated and self sufficient, but he is more concerned about others he met in the rehabilitation ward who are really struggling with the application process and the deeply stressful situation.

"I'm educated, I've got a chance. I am articulate, I'm a grumpy bastard. But the people there don't have a hope. They can't take the bureaucrats on," he said.

Off-farm income the problem

Hobby farmers and small producers are also slipping through the cracks.

Many small farms around villages like Bobin on the NSW mid-north coast were devastated by fires prior to Christmas.

The local school at Bobin has been rebuilt in time for students who are starting the new term, but farmers like Marilyn and Geoff Spence are without assistance.

Prior to the drought they maintained 28 Brangus breeders, one bull, and up to 28 calves.

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They were forced to sell their Brangus cattle after fire ripped through their small holding, leaving them without fences and pasture.

"We are hobby farmers but we don't seem to be covered by any funding or grants because of the situation we are in," Ms Spence said.

She and her husband both had extensive teaching careers.

"Less than 50 per cent of our income comes from our farm and the rest is subsidised by our off-farm income so we are not eligible for anything," Ms Spence said.

Ms Spence and several other people in a similar position have attended a meeting at the Bobin Community Arts Hall to voice their concerns to NSW Deputy Premier and National Party leader John Barilaro, who agreed to look into it.

"They don't fit the criteria [and] it is up to me to take it away and change that," Mr Barilaro said.

While Geoff Spence rebuilds his fire ravaged property, like many hobby farmers with off-farm income he struggles for financial assistance. ( Supplied: Marilyn Spence )

Harvey and Heather Smith have been building up their cattle herd over the past few years, investing in a breeding operation.

Their farm is in Pappinbarra, west of Wauchope, an area that has experienced several fires.

They were running around 100 head of cattle and were planning to make the transition into full-time farming, but the latest fire destroyed 2.5 kilometres of fencing and their remaining pasture.

They have sold more than half of their cattle instead.

"We figured it best to remove some from the property and give it a chance to replenish itself rather than try and keep them all," Ms Smith said.

Off-farm income has affected their access to fire aid as well.

"A lot of the grants and funding that are available in these situations are primarily for people who had suffered significant structural losses, such as their homes and sheds, or people who earn more of their money from their farm than we do," Ms Smith said.



Rain has greened up the paddocks but the recovery from fire and drought will take a long time for Marilyn and Geoff Spence. ( Supplied: Geoff Spence )

The Department of Primary Industries in NSW said eligibility for Special Disaster Grants for Bushfires was set out by both the Federal and state governments.

The existing eligibility required that applicants derive the majority of their income from a primary production enterprise.

"The department is currently considering options to extend the eligibility criteria to include smaller farm businesses," a spokesman said.



