Thousands of people across Ireland will get some much-needed cost of living relief with a cash boost landing in their accounts from Monday.
With the price of almost everything seemingly on the rise, a new package of supports was announced earlier this year in a bid to help struggling households.
Among those set to benefit are parents and guardians, who can claim the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
This allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.
READ MORE: ‘Abnormal’ weather to ravage Ireland as Met Eireann issue warning for menacing windstorm
In addition to the regular payment this year, families will receive a bonus of €100 per child.
The rates have increased €100 per child to €260 for children aged 4 to 11 and to €385 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education.
However, it's important to note that those aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2023.
The scheme opened in June and is automatically paid to many families, meaning that no application is necessary
The Department of Social Protection will notify those eligible through their MyWelfare account or by post.
For those not on the automatic payment list, they can apply online at MyWelfare.ie. The closing date for applications is September 30, 2023.
More than 120,000 families in respect of approximately 210,000 children will start getting the payment starting Monday, July 10.
Speaking as she opened applications in June, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: "As Minister, I very much recognise the pressures that families are under in relation to back-to-school costs and am pleased to have secured almost €90 million for the scheme this year.
"As part of a number of targeted cost of living measures announced in February, I have managed to secure a €100 increase for each child once again this year.
“This scheme is so important in terms of supporting parents in meeting those back-to-school costs over the coming weeks. Through the increased Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, as well as the extra €100 paid on Child Benefit this week, we are doing all we can to support families right across the State.”
To get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, your child must be:
- Aged between four and 17 on 30 September - the year you are applying for BSCFA
- Aged between 18 and 22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you are applying for BSCFA
You may get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies and you are:
- Getting a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. You can find a list of qualifying payments and schemes.
- Your household is within the BSCFA income limit
- You and each child you are claiming the BSCFA for is resident in Ireland
- Your total household income must also be less than the amounts set out in the 'Weekly income limits' table below. All your dependent children are counted when the income limit is applied (including children who do not qualify for BSCFA because they are aged under four).
