Back to School allowance Ireland 2020: Income thresholds for parents looking to get payment released

The income thresholds for Irish parents looking to receive this year's Back to School payments have been released.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has announced that €152.9million will be made available for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme for 2020.

The amount paid for each eligible child aged between four and 11 on or before September 30 is €150.

And the allowance paid for each eligible child aged from 12 to 22 on or before September is €275.

Students aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2020 in order for the payment to be received.

Children going back to school (stock) (Getty)

Here is a table breaking down the income limit for either lone parents or couples with between one and four children.

Couple with:	Income Limit	Lone Parent with:	Income Limit
1 child	€603.70	1 child	€438.30
2 children	€643.70	2 children	€478.30
3 children	€683.70	3 children	€518.30
4 children	€723.70*	4 children	€558.30*

The income threshold will rise by €40 for each additional child.

Speaking on Thursday, Minister Humphreys said: "I am extending the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to include parents and guardians who are receiving the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

"Returning to school can be a very pressurised time financially for many parents and this year brings the added anxiety created by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"The allocation for the scheme this year is €152.9 million to take into account the increased number of families who continue to depend on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment."

The closing date for receipt of applications for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is September 30.

The Department of Social Protection said a large number of payments are being paid automatically with no application form required.

It is being paid to around 115,000 families and will benefit 210,000 children.

The Department has processed these payments which are currently being issued to customers at a cost of €43 million.

It added: "Families who received a payment last year and who have not already received a notification from the Department of an automated payment are advised to make an application now via www.MyWelfare.ie. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply."