Applications are now open for third and final social welfare boost that is part of the spring cost of living package.
The €410m social welfare package was announced by the Government in February and included a €200 one off payment to all social welfare recipients in April and a €100 top-up per child in the June Child Benefit.
The final cost of living payment is a bonus of €100 per child in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. This will increase the allowance to €260 for each eligible child aged between 4 and 11 and to €385 for eligible children aged 12 to 22.
The scheme is now open and will close for applications on 30 September 2023. Here's everything you need to know about the payment.
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Who can apply?
To qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be receiving a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved employment, education, or training support scheme.
- Your household income must fall within the BSCFA income limit.
- You and the child you're claiming the allowance for must be residents of Ireland.
- If you're receiving a social welfare payment, make sure you're also receiving an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) with your payment.
How can I apply?
The allowance is paid automatically to many families. If you are paid automatically, you don't need to apply for the BSCFA. The Department of Social Protection will have let you know if you are paid automatically using your MyWelfare account, or by post, before 8 June 2023.
If you are not paid automatically, you can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance online at MyWelfare.ie when the scheme opens.
How much will I get paid?
In 2023, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will pay €260 for each eligible child aged between 4 and 11 by September 30. For eligible children aged 12 to 22 by the same date, the payment is set to increase to €385.
But it's important to note that children between 18 and 22 years old must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2023. And this year parents will also receive a financial boost of a €100 cost of living bonus per child.
You can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance here
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