A £100,000 initiative has been unveiled to assist families with expenses related to the start of the new school year.

Wealden District Council is behind the Back-to-School Payment initiative, which will provide assistance to qualifying families for the purchase of uniforms, footwear and other necessary school items.

Councillor Daniel Manvell, who holds the housing, benefits and revenues portfolio, explained that the end of August brings the return to classrooms, with mothers, fathers and guardians confronting bills for fresh uniforms, sports clothing, shoes and writing materials.

These expenses can mount up considerably, which is why the council is delighted to offer this additional help intended to benefit as many as 2,000 young people and their relatives in purchasing these necessities.

The authority is able to provide this support having adopted its Cost-of-Living budget earlier in the year, when it allocated funds specifically to ease the strain on residents during challenging periods such as this.

Eligible households will receive a single payment of £50 per child, with the programme financed through the council’s Cost of Living Reserve.

The application window will remain open for three weeks, closing at midnight on 8 September 2026.

To be considered, parents must be in receipt of Child Benefit alongside at least one other qualifying benefit.

Each household may submit only one application, and all necessary documentation must be provided to prevent processing delays or rejections.

Applications are accepted through the council’s Cost of Living for Residents webpage.