Press release
Minister Humphreys opens applications for the 2023 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has today opened applications for the 2023 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which has been increased this year to reflect the ongoing Cost of Living challenges.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.
The rates of payment for 2023 have been increased by €100 per child to €260 for children aged 4 - 11 and to €385 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education.
Opening applications today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2023 opens for applications today.
“As Minister, I very much recognise the pressures that families are under in relation to back-to-school costs and am pleased to have secured almost €90 million for the scheme this year.
“As part of a number of targeted cost of living measures announced in February, I have managed to secure a €100 increase for each child once again this year.
“This scheme is so important in terms of supporting parents in meeting those back-to-school costs over the coming weeks.
“Through the increased Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, as well as the extra €100 paid on Child Benefit this week, we are doing all we can to support families right across the State.”
The majority of payments will be paid automatically with no application form required. Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be paid automatically to more than 120,000 families in respect of approximately 210,000 children during the week beginning 10 July.
The Department of Social Protection is currently processing these payments and customers will receive confirmation informing them of their automatic entitlement, on their MyWelfare account or by post. This will result in approximately €70 million being paid to these families during the week beginning 10 July.
Families who do not receive notification from the department of an automated payment should make an application online on MyWelfare.ie even if they received a payment last year. Online applications can be made from today, Thursday, 8 June.
Minister Humphreys added:
“As in previous years, more than 80% of payments under this scheme will be paid without the need to make an application. My department will issue automatic payments to more than 120,000 families in July, and I would urge all families to check their eligibility for this important scheme.”
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.
The allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4 - 11 years on or before 30 September 2023 is €260 while an allowance of €385 is paid for each eligible child aged 12 - 22 years on or before 30 September 2023. Students aged between 18 - 22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2023 to retain an entitlement to payment.
The department is providing dedicated phone lines 071 9193318 and 0818 111113 to answer enquiries relating to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance during usual business hours Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. People also have the choice of emailing the department at bscfa@welfare.ie if they have an enquiry regarding their application or entitlement.
The closing date to apply for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September 2023.
Further information on the eligibility criteria for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is available at: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.