Back to school allowance for Clothing and Footwear

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) is available to families on certain social welfare or other State payments to help with the costs of school clothes and footwear. You may also claim for children aged 18-22 who are in full-time education if you are on a social welfare payment that includes a Qualified Child Increase for them. The scheme runs from June to the end of September each year.

If you are getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement) or a payment from the Health Service Executive (HSE) you are eligible for BTSCFA if your weekly income is below the following thresholds:

Couple Lone parent
1 child €560 €407
2 children €586 €433
3 children €612 €459
4 children €638 €485
Each additional child €26 €26

If you are on a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) or are getting a Back to Education Allowance, you are also eligible. The allowance is also available to people on employment schemes such as Community Employment, Back to Work Allowance, Rural Social Scheme and Revenue Job Assist if their gross weekly household income is less than €317.43 (the threshold for keeping secondary benefits). If they do not meet this condition they can apply under the normal income limits given above.

The allowance paid is €200 for each child aged 2-11 years before 1 October 2009 and €305 for each child aged 12-22 years before 1 October 2009.

 

If you need a form and live in Mayo give me a shout (086) 0691182 or email councillorkeithmartin@gmail.com and I'll post one out to you.

 

Alternatively you can text for application forms for the allowance simply text FORM BTSCFA to 51909 followed by your name and address.

 

Application forms are also available on the Department website at www.welfare.ie or from lo call 1890 20 23 25.