With the school year set to recommence shortly, the Department of Social Protection has reminded the public that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is now open.
The funds have automatically been paid to 111,000 families in respect of 204,000 children.
However, if anyone was not notified of an automated payment by the end of June, they can apply for financial aid online.
The closing date to apply for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September.
Customers who qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment automatically may have already received a confirmation letter before 21 June.
If someone has not received a letter confirming they will receive the payment automatically by 21 June, they will need to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance online.
The online application has been open since 21 June.
The allowance is a means-tested once-off payment that's used to help families cover the extra costs when children start school each autumn.
The scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each year.
In terms of the rates of pay, payments made for those with 4-11 year olds amount to €150, while parents of children aged 12-22 receive €275.
Children between 18 and 22 years old must be in second-level education to qualify.
As stated on the Department of Social Protection's website, to qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, you must meet the following conditions:
- you must be in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme
- you must be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child (IQC) in respect of each child for whom the allowance is being claimed (except in certain circumstances)
- each child being claimed for must be:
aged between 4 and 17 or
aged between 18 and 22, and returning to second-level education in the autumn
- the assessable income for your household must be within a set income limit
- you and each child in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State
Further information can be found here.
