Eligible families with children headed back to school this September will be in for a cash boost from next Monday.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, announced that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance would be paid to 124,000 families nationwide.
The standard payment will begin today, but the Minister also confirmed that an extra €100 payment - announced last week - to assist families with back-to-school costs will be paid into bank accounts from next Monday, July 18.
This support will remain open for applications until September 30, in a bid to help families struggling to meet the costs of uniforms, shoes, and school books.
According to a statement released this morning: “In total, it is estimated that 151,000 families and 262,000 children will benefit from the scheme by the time it closes at the end of September.”
This scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families toward the cost of school clothing and footwear.
You could be considered eligible if you are:
- Getting a social welfare payment (including Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend or a Health Service Executive payment, or
- Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back-to-work scheme) or
- Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or
- Getting a Daily Expenses Allowance (formerly called Direct Provision Allowance) for a child in education (or for yourself if you are 18–22 and returning to full-time second-level education), or
- Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or
- Attending a FET (formerly Fás) training course
Minister Humphreys increased the allowance by €10 in Budget 2022, with additional changes to make more one-parent families eligible.
As part of the Government’s €67 million back-to-school package announced last week, Minister Humphreys increased the allowance by €100 per child.
This means that for 2022, the total amount being paid for each qualified child aged 4–11 years will be €260 and the rate payable for each eligible child aged 12 and over will be €385.
The payment will be made in two stages for those who receive their allowance today - the usual sum will be paid this week, followed by the additional €100 payment per qualifying child next week.
Any payments awarded after today will include the €100 increase for each child in a single payment awarded to the family.
As well as this, Ukrainian families who have moved to Ireland due to the war will also benefit under the scheme.
Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said:“I am pleased that from today, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be paid to tens of thousands of families across the State.
“This scheme recognises the pressures families with school going children are under at this time of year, particularly given the Cost of Living challenges that people are facing.
“On top of the increase I secured in the Budget, I also announced an additional €100 payment to help ease the burden facing families.
“My Department has put the processes in place quickly – ensuring that this additional money will be paid from next Monday.
“I’m pleased too that as a result of changes I introduced in the Budget, the rates of payment will be increased for lone parents.
“These changes and increases are really important in terms of assisting families with purchasing the likes of school uniforms and other back-to-school related costs.
She went on to say that her Department will process and issue payments to 124,000 families this week and she is urging others to check if they’re eligible for the boost.
“The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will also be paid to families who are availing of the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukraine on the same eligibility criteria as Irish families,” she explained.
“I would advise anyone seeking further information on this scheme to contact their local Intreo Centre or visit MyWelfare.ie.”
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