Purpose

This report seeks approval to establish a one-off, locally funded Back-to-School Household Hardship Payment to help qualifying Wealden households meet the immediate costs associated with children returning to school. The scheme will provide £50 per eligible child and will be delivered through existing Council systems within a fixed and cash-limited allocation.

Applications are proposed to open from Monday 17 August to midnight on Monday 31 August 2026, unless the available funding is fully committed earlier. Awards will be made on a first come, first served basis to eligible Wealden households receiving a qualifying welfare benefit and caring for at least one eligible school-age child. Payments will normally be made by BACS, with a Post Office text payment available where BACS cannot be used.

The scheme is intended to complement, rather than replace, East Sussex County Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, Holiday Food and Fun programme and established advice and crisis-support pathways. Applications will open only after legal, financial, equality, data-protection and operational controls have been completed and approved.

Decision

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Benefits and Revenues has decided to:

a)    approve the establishment of a time-limited, £100,000 Back-to-School Household Payment of £50 per eligible child;

b)    authorise the Head of Digital, Revenues and Benefits, together with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services, to approve the final operational arrangements and implementation date; and

c)     confirm that the scheme will be funded from the Cost of Living Reserve.

Reasons for the decision

As set out in the associated report.

Alternative options considered

As set out in the associated report.