26 January, 2026, 2:48 pm Central - 27°C Rain

Verification issues behind delays in $200 Back-to-School payments

Verification issues behind delays in $200 Back-to-School payments

By Vijay Narayan
26/01/2026
Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel

Parents who are still waiting to receive the government’s $200 Back-to-School Assistance have largely been affected by changes in their personal details, particularly phone numbers. 

This has been highlighted by Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel who says a team from the Ministry of Education and another from the Ministry of Finance are currently working to resolve outstanding payments.

Immanuel says they hope everyone will get the $200 assistance by this weekend. 

The Minister explained that while the official payment period is 10 days, delays depend on individual cases that still require verification.

He says once these cases are resolved, payments will be completed.

Immanuel stressed that the Back-to-School Assistance initiative is not new, having been in place for the past three to four years, and that eligibility requirements have not changed.

However, he says they have identified a key problem affecting payments: changes in phone numbers used by parents or guardians.

He says in some cases, inconsistencies in parental details have also caused delays.

He is urging parents who have not yet received their payment to ensure their contact details and information provided through schools are accurate and up to date.

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