Applications for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will open later this month.
With the cost of living continuing to soar, the scheme from the Department of Social Protection provides welcome help of up to €285 per child to help hard pressed parents pay for school uniforms and footwear.
The BTSCFA opens from June 20 and will be paid automatically to many families from 13 July.
Read more: Social welfare Ireland: Housing Assistance Payment increase set to benefit thousands
Those who qualify automatically will get a letter before June 20 confirming their payment.
Parents who don't qualify automatically can apply online for the payment. Here's all you need to know about how to complete your application.
Who qualifies for the payment
Parents qualify for the payment if:
- 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
Children must be aged between 4 and 17 on 30 September 2022 to qualify for the payment.
If they are aged between 18 and 22, they must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year parents are applying.
Foster children are not eligible for the BTSCFA because the financial support parents get from Tusla includes help with the cost of clothing and footwear.
Income limits
Total weekly household income must be less than the amounts in the table below. All dependent children are taken into account for the income limits, including children who do not qualify for BTSCFA because they are under 4.
| Number of children | Income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 child | €620 |
| 2 children | €668 |
| 3 children | €716 |
| 4 children | €764 |
Any income from other social welfare payments, such Child Benefit, Rent Supplement and HAP is not counted.
Rates
The allowance for each eligible child aged between 4 and 11 is €160.
The allowance for each eligible child aged between 12 and 22 is €285.
How to apply and closing date
Parents who do not receive a letter informing them they are automatically entitled to the payment can apply on www.MyWelfare.ie.
The closing date for application is September 30.
Read more: Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme finally comes to an end today
Read more: Social welfare Ireland: Applications for Back to School allowance worth hundreds opening very soon
For all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox sign up for our free newsletter
