FAMILIES across Wealden can now apply for financial help towards the cost of school uniforms, shoes and other classroom essentials.
Wealden District Council has launched a £100,000 Back-to-School Payment scheme, offering eligible households a one-off payment of £50 for each child.
The scheme is funded through the council’s Cost of Living Reserve and could support up to 2,000 children.
Applications are open until midnight on September 8, although the scheme may close earlier if all the available funding is allocated. Payments will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants must receive Child Benefit and at least one other qualifying benefit. Only one application can be submitted per household, and families must provide all the required supporting evidence to avoid their application being delayed or refused.
Councillor Daniel Manvell, Alliance for Wealden (Labour Party) and lead councillor for Housing, Benefits and Revenues, said: “The end of August is back-to-school time, with parents and carers facing the cost of new uniforms, sports kits, shoes and stationery.
“This can be really expensive, so we are pleased to give this extra support to help up to 2,000 children and their families pay for these essentials.
“We can afford to do this because we passed our Cost-of-Living budget earlier this year, where we set aside money to help take pressure off people at difficult times like this.
“While this fund is for low-income families and those with disabilities, we know a lot of people across Wealden are struggling. We are continuing to look at ways we can support more residents facing cost-of-living pressures.”
The initiative, supported by the Wealden Partners council group, runs alongside other assistance including East Sussex County Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund and Holiday Food and Fun programme.
Eligibility details and applications are available through Wealden District Council’s Cost of Living for Residents page.
