Welfare agencies fear struggling parents in Wyndham face an uncertain new year, with the federal government planning to axe the ‘schoolkids bonus’ before the January installment.
The Abbott government introduced legislation to scrap the payment earlier this month. If it is passed before the end of the year, the next payment will not be made.
Parents on Centrelink benefits were due to get $205 per primary school child or $355 per secondary school child in January, according to UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing chief executive Carol Muir.
She said many families had depended on the bonus that had previously been paid in January and July, and they would have been relying on the January installment to help pay for the new school year.
Wyndham City Salvation Army captain Lance Jeffrey said “it will be a massive hit to families”.
“The back-to-school period is a peak time [when] families need help, even when they had the bonus,” he said.
“We are already seeing a lot of families with mortgage stress where even with two people working they can’t pay the mortgage or rent, let alone the cost of school fees, books and uniforms.”
Mr Jeffrey said the Wyndham City Salvos were already helping about 90 people a week with food, clothing and furniture, but they had to turn away up to 20 a day because they couldn’t meet demand.
He said they helped 334 families with Christmas hampers and gifts last year and expected this to rise to more than 400 this year.
In the lead-up to Christmas, the two agencies have set up Christmas gift donation trees at major retailers. Shoppers can buy gifts for children or gifts cards.
The Salvos’ trees are at Kmart at Werribee Plaza and Sanctuary Lakes and at the Hoppers Club in Hoppers Crossing, while UnitingCare has trees at Target stores in Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook.
Ms Muir said the demand was so great that people needing donated presents had to make an appointment.
» Werribee Support and Housing: 9742 6452
