Next week parents of school-aged children will be eligible to apply for the state government’s Student Assistance Payment initiative.
The payment is not means-tested, meaning every family – whatever their financial circumstances – are able to receive it.
The children’s charity Variety WA has made a timely appeal to families who don’t need the financial help to consider donating their payment to someone who does.
Variety WA has expanded its annual EduKids Grants program to allow the Student Assistance Payments to be donated directly to a child who needs it.
“While it’s great that most families receive a piece of this $103 million cost-of-living bonus, the truth is not every child in WA needs that money as much as the next, and we know there is often a big gap even between students within the same school,” Variety WA CEO Chris Chatterton said.
“What we’re trying to do with EduKids is reduce that gap to offer each child an equal opportunity to succeed.
“Every school differs in what the kids need most. I visited 32 schools around the state late last year delivering EduKids Grants and some schools desperately needed jumpers, others needed shoes to allow them to participate in technical classes and training.
“In Marble Bar we bought the whole school rashies so they can learn to swim without fear of sunburn. One Primary school bought welcome packs for all the new pupils.
“What makes EduKids different is that we utilise the schools’ valuable local knowledge to ensure those most in need receive the funding.”
With the public’s generous support Variety WA aims to more than double the $300,000 worth of assistance they provided to the most vulnerable school children around our state.
For more information on how you can donate your Student Assistance Payment Initiative to Variety WA EduKids Grants visit https://fundraise.varietywa.org.au/variety-wa-edukids or call Variety WA on (08) 9355 3655.
