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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
My child is going back to school in September and I need help with the costs. Can I get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance?
You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) if you meet the income requirements. The BTSCFA can help with the costs involved in returning to school.
How much is the Allowance?
The Allowance is:
• €160 for children aged between 4 and 11
• €285 for children aged between 12 and 22
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Do I qualify for the Allowance?
Your child must be aged between 4 and 17 on 30 September 2022. If they are aged 18-22 they must be returning to full-time second level education in a recognised school this autumn. You must also meet one of the following conditions:
• Getting a social welfare payment or a Health Service Executive payment
• Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme)
• Taking part in a recognised education or training course
• Getting a Daily Expenses Allowance (formerly called Direct Provision Allowance) for a child in education (or for yourself or your child if aged between 18–22 and returning to full-time second-level education in an approved centre in the autumn of the application year), or involved in an Area • Partnership Scheme
• Taking part in a FET (formerly Fás) or Fáilte Ireland training course
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Your application is means-tested and your total family income must be below a certain level for your family size. Income you get from certain other social welfare payments is not counted. These include:
Child Benefit, Rent Supplement or other income supplement, Working Family Payment, guardian’s payments, Blind Welfare Allowance, Rehabilitation Training Allowance, rehabilitative employment (up to €140 per week), Domiciliary Care Allowance , Mobility Allowance and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
Weekly income limits for 2022 are:
• 1 child = €620
• 2 children = €668
• 3 children = €716
• 4 children = €764
The income limit goes up by €48 for each additional dependent child.
How do I apply?
If you automatically qualify for the 2022 BTSCFA payment, you will get a confirmation letter before 20 June 2022. If you do not get a letter, you can apply online from 20 June 2022 until 30 September 2022.
Read more about the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance on citizensinformation.ie 👉 https://bit.ly/3vW7Scb or you can call a member of the local Citizens Information Service in Kerry on 0818 07 7860.
The telephone lines are staffed from 10am -4pm from Monday to Friday. The National Phone Service is available on 0818 07 4000 Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm.
Alternatively, you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie
