Help coming for school costs

MORE than 10,750 local families will benefit from a cash bonus from the Gillard Government to help them meet the costs of having kids in school.

Labor’s Duty Senator for Cowper Matt Thistlethwaite has announce family school benefits will start flowing from Wednesday.. Picture: Jojo Newby

MORE than 10,750 local families will benefit from a cash bonus from the Gillard Government to help them meet the costs of having kids in school.

Labor's Duty Senator for Cowper, Matt Thistlethwaite, said eligible local families would start seeing some extra money in their bank accounts from next Wednesday.

"Families will receive $409 for each child in primary school and $818 for each child in high school," he said.

"I know that with kids in school, it can be pretty tough for parents in Cowper to keep up.

"This automatic payment will give these families a bit of extra breathing space."

All eligible families will receive the payment - which is the full amount of the Education Tax Refund for 2011-12 - without having to fill out forms or lodge receipts.

Local families receiving fortnightly Family Tax Benefit Part A payments will automatically receive the cash bonus with their usual FTB payments from Wednesday.

Families who claim their Family Tax Benefit Part A as a lump-sum at the end of the financial year, will automatically get their cash payment then.

From January next year, the Schoolkids Bonus will paid in two instalments - before the start of Term 1 and Term 3 - to help parents pay for school expenses like uniforms, text books, stationery and excursions.

The Senator said that unlike the old Education Tax Refund, the new bonus will be paid to families in full and up front.

"I know many local families were finding it really tough waiting until tax time to claim the Education Tax Refund," he added.

"They just couldn't wait months to get some money back and many were missing out on the full amount they were entitled to.

"The Schoolkids Bonus will mean that parents have the extra cash in their pocket before the costs start piling up and without having to keep track of all of the receipts.

"It's not everything but it's another step in the right direction."

The Schoolkids Bonus and Education Tax Refund cash payment will be available to local families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A plus young people in school receiving Youth Allowance, as well as some income support and veterans' payments recipients.

Local families can find out more about the Schoolkids Bonus by calling 132 468.

Originally published as Help coming for school costs