Minister for Social Protection and Deputy Leader of Fine Gael Heather Humphreys(Image: Collins Photo Agency)

Social welfare Ireland: Closing date to apply for lump sum payment of €285 confirmed

Parents can apply for the payment of up to €285 per child from next month but be aware that applications close in September - here's everything you need to know

by · RSVP Live

The opening and closing date for the Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has been confirmed.

The payment is available to certain groups every year and is a lump sum of up to €285 per child.

It is towards costs of students' clothing to return back to school in September.

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Here's everything you need to know about when and how to apply for the Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

When are applications open?

Many families get the BSCFA automatically. If you are paid automatically, you don't need to apply for the BSCFA.

If you don’t get an automatic payment, you can apply for the payment online at MyWelfare.

Applications for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance are expected to open on 5 June 2024 and close on 30 September 2024.

How to apply

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will let you know if you are paid automatically using your MyWelfare account, or by post.

If you don’t hear from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply for BSCFA online, even if you got the BSCFA payment last year.

You will need a verified MyGovID account. If you don’t have a verified MyGovID account, you can call the BSCFA contact centre on (071) 91 93318 or 0818 11 11 13, and they will help you to set one up.

You should apply for the BSCFA before the closing date if:

  • You have applied for a social welfare payment and are waiting for a decision on your application, or
  • You have appealed a decision not to award you a social welfare payment

Your BSCFA application will be decided when you get a decision on your social welfare payment application, or on your appeal.

How much is the BSCFA?

For children aged between 4 and 11 on the 30th of September 2024, the rate is €160 per child. For children aged 12-22 in full time second level education, the rate of payment is €285.

Who is eligible?

You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies, and:

  • You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See a list of qualifying payments and schemes on Gov.ie
  • Your household is within the BSCFA income limits
  • You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland.

If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) with your payment.

To get the BSCFA, your child must be:

  • Aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply
  • Aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply

Your child must be resident in Ireland.

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