Application Forms – Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) helps you meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school.
You (the parent or guardian) must be getting certain social welfare payments or taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes and your child/ren must be aged between 4 and 17 on or before 30 September of the year you apply or aged between 18 and 22 on or before 30 September if in second-level education.
This scheme for 2018 is now open. The closing date for applications is 30 September 2018 – APPLICATION FORM
Rules:
You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are:
- Getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement and Back to Work Family Dividend) or a Health Service Executive payment, or
- Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme) including JobBridge or
- Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or
- Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or
- Attending a FET (formerly Fás), Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme
Your child must be aged between 4-17 on or before 30 September 2018. If they are aged between 18-22 they must be in full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college.
Income limits:
To qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, your total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below. All your dependent children are taken into account for the income limits (including children who do not qualify for BSCFA, because they are under 4).
Your total household income includes your main social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, the income of any dependent children on the Youthreach Programme and any other income you may have including wages (before tax, but excluding PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 per week), maintenance, savings and investments.
Savings and investments (including property, but not your home) are assessed as follows:
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
| First €5,000 | not taken into account |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €25,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Income limits for couples 2018:
| Couple | Income limit |
| 1 child | €587.20 |
| 2 children | €619.00 |
| 3 children | €650.80 |
| 4 children | €682.60* |
*The income limit is increased by €31.80 for each additional dependent child.
Income limits for lone parents 2018:
| Lone parent | Income limit |
| 1 child | €425.10 |
| 2 children | €456.90 |
| 3 children | €488.70 |
| 4 children | €520.50* |
*The income limit is increased by €31.80 for each additional dependent child.
Rates:
€125 for children aged 4 to 11 on the 30th September 2018;
€250 for children aged 12 to 22 on the 30th September 2018. (Children between the ages of 18 and 22 must be in full-time second level education.
How to apply:
The scheme for 2018 opened on 1 June 2018. The closing date for applications is 30 September 2018.
The Department of Social Protection pays BSCFA automatically to many customers.
If you did not get an automatic payment you must apply for the Allowance. If any of your children are aged 18 or over, you must apply for the Allowance for them and supply evidence that they are in second-level education (even if automatic payments have issued for other children in the family).
Where to apply:
APPLICATION FORM – DOWNLOAD HERE
An application form can also be requested by SMS (text message) by texting Form BTSCFA followed by your name and address to 51909 or by emailing the Department at BSCFA@welfare.ie.
Completed application forms with supporting documentation should be returned to:
Department of Social Protection
Social Welfare Services
Department of Social Protection
College Road
Sligo
F91 T384
