Parents with children heading back to school this September have been urged to take note of the opening date for applications as it fast approaches.
The government support aims to help people meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school and will likely be needed by more families as the cost of living continues to increase in Ireland.
Eligible parents get a once-off payment of between €160 and €285 per child - as long as they are aged between four and 17 on September 30, 2022.
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Parents and guardians can also get the support if their child is aged 18 to 22, as long as they are returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college.
Applications for the 2022/2023 scheme open from June 20 and will remain open until September 30.
Parents are considered eligible as long as they are:
- Getting a social welfare payment (including Working Family Payment, Back to Work Family Dividend, and Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment) 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) or Fáilte Ireland training course
If you have already qualified for the Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment, you will receive a confirmation letter before June 20 confirming that you will receive the payment from the opening date.
But if you don't get this automatic letter, you can still apply for the scheme online.
If you are declined the payment, citizen’s information says: “If you are unhappy with the decision on your application, you should send a letter to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Review Section at the address below setting out why you are not happy with the decision and asking that the claim be reviewed.”
In order to be reconsidered, you will need to request a review within 21 days of getting your decision.
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