Social welfare Ireland: Parents have just four days to…

Social welfare Ireland: Parents have just four days to apply for possible €285 Back to School payment

Irish parents are being warned that they have just for days left to avail of the Back To School payment which could be worth as much as €285 depending on the age of your child.

Over 120,000 parents have already signed up for the payment, which began in July, and was hiked by €100 by the Government over the summer to help with back to school costs during the current cost of living crisis.

The scheme can see parents receive a €160 or €285 payment depending on the age of their children.

Applications for the Back to School payment close on September 30.

Any parents who have yet to apply for the scheme will need to do so by then or risk missing out.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) helps you meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school.

It was paid automatically to many families in the week beginning July 11, 2022.

If you are paid automatically, you don’t have to apply for the BTSCFA.

You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are:

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

To qualify for the Back to School allowance, your income must be less than €620 a week for one child, €668 for two kids, €716 for three and €764 for four.

The income limit is then increased by €48 for each additional dependent child.

Your child must also be aged between 4-17 on September 30. If they are aged between 18-22, they must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you are applying.

Speaking last month, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: "My Department will process and issue payments to some 124,000 families this week, and I would urge all families to check their eligibility for this important scheme and apply before September 30.

"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.

"I would advise anyone seeking further information on this scheme to contact their local Intreo Centre or visit MyWelfare.ie."