Cash boost for thousands of parents as €285 payment application to reopen in weeks

THOUSANDS of parents are set for a huge cash boost as payment applications reopen in weeks.

The payment helps thousands of families with the cost of school uniforms and shoes every year.

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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) will for applications in June 2025.

Families can check if they are eligible online as there are a number of conditions that you must meet.

Though most families receive the payment automatically and do not need to apply.

The current rate of payment is €160 for children aged four to 11.

It increases to €285 for children aged 12 to 22.

Those aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school this autumn to qualify.

WHAT CHILDREN QUALIFY FOR THE PAYMENT?

In order to qualify for the BSCFA, both children and parents or guardians must meet certain criteria.

You can apply if your children are aged four to 17 on the 30 of September in the year of your application.

Or if they are aged 18 to 22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you have applied.

Your children must be residents of Ireland.

Foster children do not qualify for the BSCFA as foster parents get a Foster Care Allowance.

WHO QUALIFIES TO RECEIVE THE PAYMENT?

If your child qualifies for the BSCFA, you must still meet criteria to receive the payment.

These include getting a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme – a list of which can be found on gov.ie.

Both yourself and each child you claim for must be a resident in Ireland.

Your household income must be within the BSCFA income limits and you must be receiving the Increase for a Qualified Child payment (IQC) along with social welfare payment.

There are some exceptions to the IQC rule – as you can still claim the BSCFA if you’re getting a qualified social welfare payment in other circumstances.

Such as the rules of your payment not providing for child payment – such as Maternity or Adoptive Benefit.

You can also get the BSCFA if your spouse or partner’s income is over the specified limits of your payment, but your overall household income is within limits laid out.

ARE THERE INCOME LIMITS TO GETTING THE PAYMENT?

There are income limits to getting the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

These limits are increased for each child in the home – even those under age four and those aged 18 to 22 in third-level education.

Advice on calculating your total household income and checking your eligibility can be found here.