Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has opened the applications for the 2022 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. The scheme supported over 137,000 families with back to school costs last year.
The rates of payment for each child have been increased this year by €10 to €160 for children aged 4 - 11 and to €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education.
Ukrainian families who have moved to Ireland due to the war will also benefit under the scheme.
Formally opening the scheme, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2022 is now open for applications.
“I am delighted to secure over €58 million for the scheme this year - recognising the pressures that families with school going children are under at this time of year.
“As part of a number of targeted measures in Budget 2022, I am increasing the rates of payment this year.
“I’ve also widened the eligibility for lone parents by increasing the income limits for single parent families to match those of two parent families.
Minister Humphreys continued:
“My Department will process and issue automatic payments to some 120,000 families in July and I would urge all families to check their eligibility for this important scheme.
“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.
“This scheme is extremely important in supporting families in dealing with what is a very expensive time of year.
“I would advise anyone seeking further information on this scheme to contact their local Intreo Office or visit MyWelfare.ie.”
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments will be paid to some 120,000 families in respect of approximately 212,000 children during the week beginning 11th July.
The Department of Social Protection is currently processing these payments and customers will receive written confirmation of their entitlement by this week (week commencing 20th June), informing them of their automatic entitlement.
Families who do not receive notification from the Department of an automated payment should make an application online on www.MyWelfare.ie even if they received a payment last year.
Note to Editor
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.
The allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4 - 11 years on or before 30th September 2022 is €160 while an allowance of €285 is paid for each eligible child aged 12 - 22 years on or before 30th September 2022. Students aged between 18 - 22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2022 to retain an entitlement to payment.
The Department will have dedicated phone lines 071-919-3318 and 0818-11-11-13 to answer enquiries relating to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance during usual business hours Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm. People also have the choice of emailing the Department at bscfa@welfare.ie if they have an enquiry regarding their application or entitlement.
The closing date to apply for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30th September 2022.
Further information on the eligibility criteria for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is available at www.gov.ie/bscfa.
ENDS