Eager parents trying to access the NSW Government’s family vouchers made available from February 7 have run into trouble with system glitches and errors.
Approximately one million families in the state have been given $250 worth of vouchers which can be redeemed at Discover NSW and Stay NSW registered businesses.
The vouchers are accessible via the NSW app.
Unlike the Dine and Discover vouchers, which were made available with just one-click, the family vouchers require a parent to make an application via the Service NSW app.
It transpires that, for parents who have pre-loaded the app with their driving license and Medicare card, the process is relatively smooth.
However, some parents who have not pre-loaded the identity documents, have been met with a “system error”.
Other parents on the Coast reported that the system failed to match up their identify records with their name and blocked them from making more attempts.
“Maybe too many people are applying at once,” said one Wyong mother.
Local parents groups have also complained that they are unable to share their vouchers with family members or friends who have struggled financially during the pandemic.
“Each time you load the vouchers on the app, it creates a new code for the business to use, which means I can’t pass it on to anyone,” complained another mother.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this program was a big win for households and would help ease the cost of living for busy parents.
“This is all about thanking parents for their home-schooling efforts last year, helping make ends meet and supporting local businesses,” said Perrottet
“This will also put downward pressure on the cost of living by helping families across the state get out and enjoy the best our state has to offer while leaving them with more money in their back-pocket to spend on the everyday essentials.”
In addition, the Stay NSW voucher program, providing every adult aged 18 and older with a $50 voucher to spend at registered accommodation providers, will be progressively rolled out from February 21.
Parents are still waiting for the roll-out of the $500 allowance towards the GAP fee for before and after school care, which is due to start on February 28.
The vouchers can also be accessed on the Service NSW website or by calling 13 77 88.
Nicola Riches
It seem the same is happening with Before and After School Care Vouchers. I tried applying on multiple occasions and while all our details got Verified and my child is Eligible I could not finish the process due to the same technical error which keeps advising that some of the details are not correct but it does not advises which ones, yet all the details got Verified. That does not make sense. Is there a number we can call re these issues?
The glitch is still continuing & vouchers won’t load for either myself or my wife. Service NSW seem to be ignoring the problem.