$9.8 MILLION IN EXTRA SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

ABOUT 9300 families in the Lyne electorate will receive a boost to their household budgets from tomorrow.
Independent Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott said the federal government’s new Schoolkids Bonus would deliver $9.856 million into the collective bank accounts of local families as part of the transition from the old Education Tax Refund.
Families receiving fortnightly Family Tax Benefit Part A payments will receive a one-off lump-sum payment of $409 for each child in primary school and $818 for each child in high school before the end of June.
“Under the Education Tax Refund system, more than 2000 local families forgot to make a claim, or didn’t realise they could claim for uniforms, text books, school excursions, and other costs such as music lessons and sports fees.
“Many others couldn’t claim their full entitlement because they didn’t keep tax receipts.
“The automatic Schoolkids Bonus means almost 8000 local families will be better off, and without the paperwork required under the old system.”
Eligible families do not need to make claim. The one-off payment will be automatically paid into their nominated bank account.
From January next year, families will receive the Schoolkids Bonus, paid twice a year before school goes back for Term 1 and Term 3.
Eligible families will receive $410 for children in primary school (two instalments of $205), and $820 for children in full-time secondary study (two instalments of $410).
Families who claim their Family Tax Benefit as a lump sum payment at the end of the financial year will automatically get the extra assistance then.
More information is available at www.humanservices.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus or call
132 468.