Irish parents have just hours left to avail of the Back To School payment which could be worth up to €285 amid this cost of living crisis.
According to figures, there have been over 120,000 applicants who have already signed up for the payment which began in July.
Over the summer months, the support was increased by €100 as the Government worked to help families afford all of the back-to-school necessities amid the current cost of living crisis.
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The scheme ensures that qualifying parents or guardians have access to €160 - €285 payments - depending on the age of their children.
However, those who have not yet applied have just hours left to do so as applications for the Back to School payment close on September 30, 2022.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was specifically created to help meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children of school-going age.
It was paid automatically to many families, who were already registered, in the week beginning July 11, 2022.
If you’re interested, 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 - this is increased by €48 for each additional dependent child.
Your child must also be aged between 4-17 on September 30, but if they are aged between 18-22 and 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 also be considered.
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."
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