Many Irish parents and guardians will be able to benefit from the Back to School Allowance this year as applications open in a matter of weeks.
The payment was created in order to help families meet the costs associated with children's clothing and footwear as they return to the classroom.
With the cost of living constantly on the rise in Ireland at the moment, any form of assistance with meeting school costs will be welcomed across the country.
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Applications open very soon - on June 20 - but in order to qualify for the payment, your child must be aged between 4-17 on 30 September.
There is an exception for those with children aged between 18-22, as long as you have proof that they are returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you are applying.
You may be eligible 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
- Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme)
- Taking part in a recognised education or training course
- 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)
- Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme
- Attending a FET (formerly Fás) training course
In 2022, the allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4-11 on 30 September 2022 will be €160.
The sum paid for each eligible child aged 12-22 on 30 September is €285.
The scheme will open for application on June 20, 2022, and will shut to parents on September 30, 2022.
For those who are automatically entitled to the payment, you will get a letter before June 20, 2022, to let you know that you will be paid automatically in the week beginning July 13, 2022.
If you do not get a letter confirming that you will get the payment automatically, you must apply for the Back to School Allowance online on www.MyWelfare.ie before September 30, 2022.
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