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Getting children to school is becoming increasingly expensive. Families have to find the money to pay for exam fees, uniforms, camps, stationery and, increasingly, also some sort of computer laptop or tablet; all at the same time. The financial pressures these demands put on a family are particularly stressful if they have a number of children and/or are on a low income.
For families on a low income or on a benefit there is limited financial assistance which may be available in the form of a loan from Work and Income to help with these costs. People on a benefit can apply for an Advance Payment and families who are not on a benefit, but on a low income, can apply for a Recoverable Assistance Payment if their income is less than the cut-out limit.
There are separate rules and criteria for school fees, stationery, uniforms, school camps, exam fees and computing equipment. However, two main criteria for all these costs are that the cost being applied for is both essential and is needed immediately. Both Advances and Recoverable Assistance Payments must be repaid.
If you want to access these schemes, call Work and Income 0800 559 009 and ask for an appointment. If you want further information, please call us at Homebuilders 425 7048 for free and impartial advice.
Thanks to the work of local mum Cat Railey, Homebuilders has also been running a small second-hand uniform exchange this year. We still have a limited number of uniforms which people are welcome to come and take away for free, or if they have good quality uniforms they want to donate for other to use. We welcome that, too.
