The Clutha District Council says more of its ratepayers may be eligible for a rates rebate even though they may believe they fall outside the scheme's criteria.
The national rates rebate programme offers rates discounts for low-income earners, but council rates-property officer Pauline Ellis said ratepayers who earned more than the $21,910 threshold could still get money back.
A married couple who relied on New Zealand superannuation as their sole income would receive $27,570 this year but they were still entitled to apply for a rates rebate, Ms Ellis said.
"If their rates exceed $1200, they are entitled to some rebate and if their rates exceed $2000, they are entitled to the full rebate of $550," she said.
The scheme's $21,910 threshold guideline may be discouraging some ratepayers from applying and she encouraged any ratepayer who believed they might be eligible for a rebate to contact the council.
The scheme is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs but initial applications are processed by councils.
In the 2008-09 financial year, the council approved 644 applications and rates rebates totalling $294,206 were paid out.
This represented an average rebate of $456.84.
