In an announcement made on the 11th of July 2022, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys stated the increase in the back-to-school allowance will be made from next week, rather than next month.

The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance is increased as follows:

Children aged between four and 11 will receive €260, an increase from €160.

Children aged over 11 will receive €385, an increase from €285.

Payments of the regular allowance start today but, in a new development, payment into bank accounts of the additional €100 has been brought forward from August to next Monday.

People may qualify for the back-to-school allowance if they are in receipt of social welfare payments, in training or in direct provision. Ukrainian families, who have moved to Ireland due to the Russian invasion of their country, will also be able to benefit.

Qualifying families have to have incomes below certain thresholds:

Your child must be aged between 4-17 on 30th September 2022. If they are aged between 18-22, they must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you are applying. The scheme does not apply to those in third level education. To be eligible for the allowance the applicant (parent or guardian) must be receiving certain social welfare payments or payments for training, employment schemes or adult education. Total household income must also be below a certain amount. All of the restrictions are available here.

The scheme operates until the 30th of September and you can apply online here.

For further information on the Back-to-school Clothing and Footwear allowance, click here.

Comments