Help with costs now children are back at school

With children now back at school, the extra costs involved in buying uniforms, lunches and activities can soon add up. We know that for a lot of families across the borough finances are already tighter than normal, so we’ve put together a list of resources to help you cope with the back to school costs. 

If you’re struggling with school costs, our advice can help. Contact our free Adviceline on 0808 2787 801 or fill in our online referral form and we’ll get in touch with you. 

Help if your child can’t go to school because of COVID-19 

As pupils mix again in classrooms, there’s a chance your child could be told to self-isolate or stay at home due to coronavirus. We know that for a lot of families, there simply isn’t a spare computer around for your child to complete their classwork on, or there may be issues with them accessing the internet. 

If this is the case, you should speak to your child’s school and see if alternative arrangements can be made. The school should either provide a computer or internet access for your child to use, and if this isn’t possible, modify the type of work they’re being asked to do. They may also let your child go back to school as long as they aren’t self-isolating. 

Help if you’re struggling to keep up with living costs 

A lot of families have struggled financially due to the coronavirus pandemic, either through reduced income or loss of employment. With extra school costs added on top of that, it can become a struggle to keep up with everyday living expenses. However, there’s help out there to ensure that you can cope. 

If you receive certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, your child may be eligible for free school meals. This would also mean they receive food or supermarket vouchers if they have to stay at home due to coronavirus. If you’re pregnant or have a child under the age of four, you may be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers, which can be used towards fruit, vegetables and other essentials. 

Help with paying for school uniform and other school costs 

The kids being back at school can also mean other expenses, such as replacing uniforms or paying for music lessons and school trips. If you’re on a low income, the local education authority, Wigan Borough Council, has help available for costs such as learning a musical instrument. 

Schools can ask parents to pay for some activities such as museum or theatre visits, but they should let you know if this is a voluntary payment. If you can’t afford to pay, the school can’t stop your child from attending - however they can cancel the trip if they don’t receive enough money to pay for it. 

Help with funding transport for your child to and from school 

Travel expenses can be another huge burden for families, especially if your child attends a school that is a long distance away or if they struggle to get to and from school, either due to special needs or the area they live in. 

If you’re on a low income or live more than 3 miles from the nearest available school, Wigan Council offers a free school travel pass. There is also other help available if your child has Special Educational Needs. Some college students may also be eligible to claim £50 back per term to help cover travel costs. 

If you’re struggling financially, our advice can help. Contact our free Adviceline on 0808 2787 801 or fill in our online referral form and we’ll get in touch with you. Whoever you are, whatever the problem, we’re here to help.